Tinubu Under Pressure: APC Leader Calls For Swift Intervention As Terrorist Turji Wreaks Havoc In Zamfara

A prominent Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Sani Shinkafi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the escalating security threat posed by the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.

Speaking in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Shinkafi expressed grave concern over Turji’s recent threats to turn towns and villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states into “ghost communities” unless his demands are met.

The alarm follows the release of a five-minute video in which Turji, a notorious figure in the region, demanded the release of his ally, Bako Wurgi. Wurgi was arrested by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma at Shinkafi General Hospital after sustaining injuries during a clash with rival bandit groups in the Mania area.

In the video, Turji threatened to render Shinkafi and Zurmi in Zamfara State, along with Isa in Sokoto State, uninhabitable if Wurgi is not released.

Reacting to these threats, Shinkafi, a former chairman of the Zamfara State Committee on Banditry-Related Offences, called on President Tinubu to treat the situation as a critical national issue. He stressed the need for immediate deployment of additional resources and strategies to neutralize Turji and his gang.

“I call on Mr. President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to act swiftly to protect the lives and properties of the good people in Shinkafi and Zurmi local government areas, as well as Isa and Sabon-Birnin areas in Sokoto State,” Shinkafi said.

He described Turji’s threats as a slap in the face of Nigeria’s security apparatus and called for immediate action to prevent further violence.

“It is disheartening that an armed bandit feels emboldened to issue threats to our local communities because his accomplice was arrested in a hospital,” Shinkafi added.

He also emphasized the need for collaboration between the governments of Sokoto and Zamfara states to work closely with President Tinubu and security agencies to formulate and implement a robust strategy to neutralize the growing threat and restore peace to the affected regions.