Bello Turji : Residents abandon homes as troops take over Shinkafi 

Military forces have been deployed to Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State to safeguard communities after recent attacks allegedly orchestrated by bandit kingpin Bello Turji.

The deployment follows a series of violent incidents, including the invasion of Shinkafi Market by suspected members of Turji’s gang, resulting in the death of two traders and the abduction of several residents.

Turji had earlier issued a threat in a video released last week, vowing to attack Shinkafi and Zurmi in Zamfara, as well as Isah in Sokoto State, if his detained relatives were not freed by December 31, 2024.

In response to the looming threat, Fulani leaders from Shinkafi, Moriki, and Zurmi met with Turji, appealing for an end to the violence. They urged the notorious bandit to reconsider his plans, warning that the attacks could provoke retaliatory violence against innocent Fulani people on market days.

READ ALSO :Bandit leader Bello Turji threatens reprisals over arrest of close associate

Despite their efforts, the violence escalated. On December 31, suspected gang members ambushed two vehicles near Chitti village, abducting passengers, burning one vehicle, and leaving the community in fear.

Further attacks were reported on New Year’s Day in Bafarawa, Isah LGA, Sokoto State, and on January 2 in Shinkafi during a market day. Armed men on motorcycles stormed the market, opened fire, killed two people, and kidnapped numerous traders, witnesses said.

A Shinkafi resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, recounted the growing insecurity, noting that travelers on the Shinkafi-Gusau road now avoid the route due to the heightened risk of ambushes.

Efforts to get comments from state authorities yielded no concrete responses. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, said he required clearance from the state commissioner before speaking, while the spokesperson for the 1 Brigade Command Gusau, Lt-Col Abdullahi Abubakar, referred inquiries to the Defence Headquarters.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued regarding the situation. Meanwhile, residents continue to abandon homes while fleeing the area, seeking safety from the unrelenting violence.

DAILY POST