Armed bandits believed to be loyalists of notorious gang leader Bello Turji ambushed a passenger vehicle along the Kaura-Namoda-Shinkafi Road in Zamfara State.
The attack, which occurred early in the morning near Kwanar Jalab village in Shinkafi Local Government Area, left 10 passengers abducted and their vehicle burned to ashes.
The assault came shortly after Turji issued a stern warning to the authorities, demanding the release of his brother, Baka Wurgi, who is in military custody.
Turji had threatened to resume violent operations in Zamfara and Sokoto states if Wurgi was not freed by the end of December 2024. Reports suggest the deadline’s expiration triggered the attack, marking a grim escalation in the bandits’ methods.
“This is the first time we are witnessing such an event,” said Garba Sani, a local resident. “They used to abduct people, but burning vehicles is unprecedented. This is likely a direct result of Turji’s threats.”
The military had previously declared Turji “a dead man walking,” with Defence Media Operations’ Director, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, stating that Turji and other terrorist leaders would face their demise by 2025.
Despite these assurances, locals remain on edge as Turji’s threats appear far from empty.
A local APC chieftain, Dr. Sani Shinkafi, expressed frustration at the continued attacks, urging the military to act decisively. “This situation is a slap in the face of our security forces. Turji’s audacity needs to be crushed before it spirals further,” Shinkafi said.
