Wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji, has reportedly turned a new leaf and is now on the offensive against fellow terrorists in Zamfara State.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Governor of Zamfara, Sen. Hassan Nasiha, at a security conference organised by the Students Union Of Medina University in Gusau.
Nasiha said that Turji, who took advantage of the governor’s amnesty, is now waging an offensive against the terrorists in the region to ensure that peace and stability are restored to the state.
According to the deputy governor, no clashes between Fulanis and Hausas have occurred in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi Local Government Areas in the last five weeks.
He noted that this came as a result of the dialogue to mediate peace between the two warring factions in the State.
Nasiha praised Turji for his decision to abandon banditry, claiming that his actions have resulted in relative peace in the three local government areas that were previously at the forefront of banditry in Zamfara State.
“There were several wars fought, but that did not stop the parties involved from dialogue to resolve their differences through a peace deal.
“It is in the light of this that Governor Bello Matawelle, thought it necessary to use kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. It would not be a gun battle or a war using whatever weapons between the bandits and the people”, he said.
He also revealed that the Governor Bello Matawalle-appointed committee, which he chairs, met with nine bandits’ camps in the Magami District, Dansadau Emirate of Gusau, and Maru LGAs to urge them to stop attacking innocent citizens.
“This is why in the last three months at Magami District, there has not been any bandits attack as a result of the peace initiative with the bandits. The Committee met with nine bandits’ camps at Magami and Dansadau Emirate where the bandits raised their concerns.
“They said the Hausas always attacked and raped their women, killing the Fulanis on their way to or returning from the market. There is no school built for our children, this ignorance pushed them to join in engaging banditry.”
