Notorious Bandits’ Leader Retaliates, Sacks Zamfara Villages, Kidnaps 150 over Father’s Arrest

Notorious Bandits’ Leader Retaliates, Sacks Zamfara Villages, Kidnaps 150 over Father’s Arrest

  • Many villages in Shinkafi local government area have been sacked by bandits loyal to Turji, a notorious criminal
  • The bandits who have reportedly abducted about 150 persons were said to have taken the action following the arrest of Turji's father
  • Turji was said to have faulted his father's arrest, saying he is the one the security operatives should go after especially as his location is not hidden

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Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara state - Bandits loyal to a prominent bandit in Zamfara state, known as Turji, are on the rampage, abducting villagers and travellers in Shinkafi local government area, Daily Trust reports.

The newspaper added that the bandits' action followed the recent arrest of Turji's father.

Zamfara: Notorious Bandits’ Leader Retaliates, Sacks Villages, Kidnaps 150 over Father’s Arrest
Bandits loyal to Turji, a prominent bandit in Zamfara state, known as Turji, are on the rampage, abducting villagers in Shinkafi LGA. Photo credit: Governor Bello Matawalle
Source: Facebook

Legit.ng gathers that the attacks started on Friday, July 16, and have continued with about 150 persons kidnapped

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Turji’s father was reportedly arrested in Kano by security agents about two weeks ago and his whereabouts have since remained unknown.

The villages sacked on Friday:

  1. Kurya
  2. Keta
  3. Kware
  4. Badarawa
  5. Marisuwa
  6. Maberaya, among others

Aside from sacking the villages, the bandits also reportedly abducted many travellers along the Gusau-Sokoto Road.

Turji vows to stop many from enjoying Sallah with their families

Turji allegedly vowed that if his father would be stopped from performing the upcoming Sallah at home then he would also ensure that many other people did not perform the festival with their families.

Daily Trust quoted a source as saying Turji faulted his father's arrest. The bandits' leader said he's the terrorist and his location is known, hence there is no reason to arrest his father.

Another source cited by the newspaper claimed Turji had sent a warning to “friendly villages” asking them to vacate.

A resident of Shinkafi town, Mohammed Sani, alleged that a rocket-propelled grenade fired into the town destroyed parts of the emir’s palace.

Read also

Why bullets alone can’t stop bandits - Goodluck Jonathan

However, the development has not been confirmed by the police.

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Bandits raid five villages in Zamfara state, kill 40

In another related development, at least 40 people were killed by bandits in attacks on five communities in Faru district of Maradun local government area of Zamfara state.

According to residents, the gunmen arrived at the communities on motorcycles firing sporadically.

Going further, they said the criminals also made away with cows and other animals in the house to house operations that lasted several hours.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nurudeen Lawal avatar

Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.