Zamfara: Take immediate action against bandits’ leader, Turji – Shinkafi advises Tinubu

Tamarauemi Ebimini

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take the threats of bandit leader Bello Turji seriously.

According to Shinkafi, on Wednesday, Bello Turji released a video clip daring security agents to release his cousin, Bello Wurge, who was arrested at Shinkafi General Hospital.

Addressing newsmen in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Shinkafi lamented that Turji threatened to launch incessant attacks on towns and villages within Shinkafi, Zurmi in Zamfara State, and Isa communities in Sokoto State.

He further stated that Turji also promised in the video to revive the kidnapping of inhabitants from these areas of Zamfara and Sokoto states for ransom.

The former secretary of APGA expressed that Turji’s threats have heightened tension in the affected areas, with villagers already starting to migrate to major towns for protection.

Shinkafi appealed to critical stakeholders in Sokoto and Zamfara states to form a coalition to meet with the President and request his intervention.

“We need to act now; the issue of banditry goes beyond political affiliation. Those who matter should act now by forming a committee to meet President Tinubu for prompt action,” he added.

He also stated that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the lives and property of its citizens.

“Mr President, Bola Tinubu, and the Governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states should face this challenge. Otherwise, many towns and villages will be wiped out by Turji,” he warned.

Shinkafi described the failure to take action against notorious bandits moving freely as a conspiracy on the part of security agencies.

He further emphasized that this is the right time for the military to act decisively and clear the bandits from the region, allowing farmers to carry out their activities.

He mentioned that more than 85% of the farmland in Zamfara State was left uncultivated during the rainy season due to the actions of bandits.