More than 100 people were reportedly killed on Monday during a violent clash between foot soldiers loyal to notorious bandit Bello Turji and members of the Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
An indigene of the area, Sa’idu Garba, told PUNCH that the CPG, supported by the Borno State Civilian JTF, launched an assault on Turji’s camp to capture him dead or alive.
The mission was allegedly led by a repentant bandit, Bashari Meniyo.
“They mobilised themselves under the leadership of one repentant bandit called Bashari Meniyo and went straight to Turji’s camp in order to get him either dead or alive without the knowledge of the security agents,” Garba said.
“Unknown to them, Turji got information that they were coming to fight him; as such, he quickly mobilised his men, who were over 1000,” he added.
According to him, the ensuing gun battle lasted several hours.
“There was a heavy fight between the two groups which lasted for several hours without the intervention of the security agents,” he said.
Garba said over 100 of Turji’s men were killed, although the bandit leader narrowly escaped.
“Although Bello Turji narrowly escaped, over 100 of his people were killed during the gun battle,” he said.
He also confirmed the loss of over 20 CPG members, including their leader.
“Bashari Meniyo, who led the civilian protection guard members, was killed along with other members of his group,” Garba said.
Expressing frustration, he lamented, “If the security agents could have come to the area when the fight was going on, Turji would have been killed.”
Another resident, Mohammed Sani, told PUNCH he heard gunfire during the clash and described how his village was thrown into panic.
“I heard several gunshots when the two groups were exchanging fire yesterday,” he said. “Most of the people of my village left their houses and ran helter-skelter to avoid being killed.”
Efforts to reach the military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Suleiman Omale, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off and he did not respond to text messages.
When contacted, the Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the number of casualties.
He stated, “I have to find out the actual number of the civilian protection guard members who were said to have lost their lives. I cannot say anything for now, until after the investigation.”(Punch)
