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Bello Turji launches attacks on major roads despite plea from Fulani leaders (Video)
Despite a meeting convened by top Fulani leaders in Zamfara State to plead with notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, not to carry out his threats of wrecking havoc on the state, fresh information has revealed that the wanted terrorist has begun launching attacks on major roads in the Shinkafi community.
Turji had issued a threat to residents of Shinkafi communities in Sokoto State vowing to unleash unimaginable mayhem if his uncles who were arrested by the military are not released immediately, swearing to abduct and kill as many people as possible if his demands are not met.
Though the Fulani leaders had reportedly held a meeting to persuade him from caring out the threat, it was gathered that the bandit leader struck on Wednesday morning by laying ambush along the Shinkafi road and abducted several passengers while setting vehicles ablaze.
Security expert, Zagazola Makama, who posted this on his X handle, said Turji’s method of burning vehicles after kidnapping victims was a new one as he has previously not indulged in such acts.
“Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly resumed violent activities along the Shinkafi road in Zamfara State, defying recent pleas from senior Fulani leaders to abandon his threats,” Makama wrote.
“Intelligence Sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that Turji and his men have been targeting travelers and communities along the road, causing widespread panic and disrupting movement in the area.
READ ALSO: Troops arrest Bello Turji’s female ammunition supplier in Zamfara
“The attacks come just few hours after top Fulani leaders from Shinkafi, Moriki, and Zurmi met with Turji to urge him to reconsider his plans for violence and to lift his blockade of the Shinkafi-Gusau road.
“During the meeting, the leaders appealed for calm and implored Turji to abandon his plans for abductions and killings, particularly in Zamfara and neighboring Sokoto State.
“They also urged him to release his grip on critical routes to ensure the free movement of people and goods. However, Turji gave no guarantees during the meeting, and it now appears that their efforts were unsuccessful.
“This is a strange method of operation in this area. Before this incident, bandits have never set a car ablaze after abducting its passengers. Of course, they do kidnap people along the road, but they have never burnt vehicles after an operation.”
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