For a better part of Tuesday, the Nigeria army assisted by local hunters held off an invasion of bandits led by the dreaded kingpin Bello Turji in Sokoto State.
The bandits attempted to overrun Gatawa town in the Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto state, but they were engaged in a fierce battle by the army unit and hunters.
“We are suspecting that Bello Turji is personally leading the fight. Fire exchange started around 6am and up till this time (2:45pm) that I am speaking with you, the fight is still on. The two sides are still exchanging fire,” a member of the community told Daily Trust
“We are in serious shock because no one knows what will happen in the next few hours. The town is quiet, no movement. No one is coming in or going out of the town at present.
“No one can give you details of what transpired between the soldiers and bandits for now. We can only have details of the encounter when the fight is over.
“We are hoping the soldiers will at the end defeat the bandits. Our prayers are that Bello Turji should be among those to be killed during the fight.”
Bello Turji has been declared wanted dead or alive by the government of President Bola Tinubu but somehow, he and his gang members still operate in the Sokoto, Zamfara axis. He is suspected that have his camp in a forest in Shinkafi local government, Zmafara state.
Bello Turji