Just days after notorious bandit leader Bello Turji attacked several communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, military troops have moved in to secure the affected areas and protect residents.
It was also reported that followers of the bandit leader reportedly invaded the Shinkafi Market, killed two traders, and abducted scores of residents.
Turji had threatened to attack communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area in Zamfara State on New Year’s Day if his relatives detained by the military were not released by December 31, 2024.
In a video clip released last week, Turji threatened to attack Shinkafi and Zurmi communities in Zamfara and Isah in Sokoto State if his relatives arrested by Nigerian troops were not freed before his deadline of December 31, 2024.
This prompted some Fulani leaders in Shinkafi, Moriki, and Zurmi in Zamfara State to call for a meeting with the terrorist kingpin to beg him to allow peace to reign.
The leaders were said to have pleaded with Turji for a cessation of abductions and killings, emphasizing their devastating impacts on Zamfara and the neighboring Sokoto State.
They allegedly informed him that his planned attacks on the communities could lead to reprisals against innocent Fulani on market days.
The bandits also attacked travelers from Shinkafi to Gusau, which has forced villagers to abandon the route for fear of being attacked.
A resident of Shinkafi, who pleaded anonymity, said that a few hours before the peace meeting organized by the Fulani leaders, the bandits — suspected to be Turji’s boys — ambushed two vehicles at Chitti village near Shinkafi on Tuesday evening, December 31, 2024.
The occupants, including the two drivers, were reportedly abducted, and one of the vehicles was burnt.
Similarly, on Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day), another attack was launched on some communities in Bafarawa, in Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The villagers claimed that Turji’s gang struck again on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Shinkafi community on a market day when the villagers were conducting their businesses.
It was learnt that bandits, who came on several motorbikes bearing dangerous weapons, stormed the market and shot sporadically.
They reportedly killed two people and kidnapped scores of traders.
When the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, was contacted, he said he would respond only after getting approval from the state police commissioner.
There was no response from him as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, the spokesperson of the 1 Brigade Command Gusau, Lt-Col Abdullahi Abubakar, said only the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) could speak on the matter.
