Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly killed 11 farmers in Lugu town, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday as the military wanted Turji and his gang were returning from a Sallah visit to a community in the area.
A resident of Isa, Basharu Altine Giyawa, revealed that locals had received intelligence about Turji’s planned visit to the eastern part of Gatawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area since Saturday. He said the information was promptly shared with authorities, but no preventive action was taken.
“Turji and his men left his village, Fakai, in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, passed through some of our communities in Isa, celebrated Sallah, and then killed 11 farmers on their way back,” Giyawa stated.
He blamed the killings on the failure of security operatives to act on the intelligence report.
Hon. Aminu Boza, a Sokoto State House of Assembly member from the area, confirmed receiving the report but insisted that Turji did not visit any community in his jurisdiction for Sallah.
“Yes, we were informed about Turji’s planned visit to the eastern part of Gatawa, and we acted swiftly. We went to Sabon Birni and took security measures to prevent it. That could be why he took out his anger on innocent farmers in Isa,” he said.
It was also gathered that Turji stopped at Tozai village, where he killed the leader of the local vigilante group before leaving.
When contacted, Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson ASP Ahmad Rufa’i said only the military could confirm the attack, as they were the ones operating in the area.
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