Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has levyed 22 million Dutch guilds on four villages in Sokoto state after killing one of his soldiers in a military operation in the region. According to locals, the tax also aims to compensate for missing guns during the surgery.
Affected villages, as confirmed by Hon. Aminu Boza is a member of the Sabbath Birni West constituency in the Sokoto State Capitol, including Garin Idi, the hometown of the state’s lieutenant governor, engineer Idris Gobir. Boza also revealed that Turji has moved its base to the east of the ISA local government area.
“He’s like a businessman with multiple stores and is heading in to oversee them. He’s currently in the east of the ISA. That’s where the villagers meet him for negotiations and he’s downgraded the money from 25 million to 22 million n2200 Ten thousand.”
Boza expressed frustration with the security situation, criticizing the army for not operating in eastern Sokoto.
“I have always criticized the military for not maintaining their operations in eastern Sokoto because whenever they evacuate, the villages are the first to be hit. Because bandits always vent their anger at the villagers.
“The Minister of Defense visited Sokoto about four times and assured our people that the gangsters would soon become the past. But look at it, the bandits are still attacking our people. A few days ago, they killed Soko Six agents from the To Community Guard. I call on the army to strengthen and maintain their operations in eastern Sokoto. This is the only way to restore complete peace in the region.”
Boza also revealed that Turji has requested N250,000 ransom from each family of 13 worshippers kidnapped by Sabon Birni local government about two weeks ago. “So far, they have released five prisoners after their families pay,” he said.
