The deadly confrontation took place near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State

By Titilope Adako

No fewer than 100 people were reportedly killed on Monday in a fierce gun battle between the fighters of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, and members of the Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard (CPG).

The deadly confrontation took place near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A resident, Sa’idu Garba, told The PUNCH that the CPG, with backing from the Borno State Civilian JTF, stormed Turji’s camp in a mission to capture him dead or alive.

The operation was allegedly spearheaded by a repentant bandit identified as Bashari Meniyo.

“They mobilised themselves under the leadership of one repentant bandit called Bashari Meniyo and went straight to Turji’s camp 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.

Garba said the gunfight between the two groups lasted several hours, with no intervention from the military.

“There was a heavy fight between the two groups, which lasted for several hours without the intervention of the security agents,” he said.

He revealed that more than 100 of Turji’s fighters were gunned down, while the bandit kingpin narrowly escaped.

“Although Bello Turji narrowly escaped, over 100 of his people were killed during the gun battle,” he said.

Garba also confirmed that over 20 members of the Civilian Protection Guard were killed, including their leader.

“Bashari Meniyo, who led the CPG members, was killed along with other members of his group,” he stated.
“If the security agents came to the area when the fight was going on, Turji would have been killed.”

Another resident, Mohammed Sani, said the sound of gunfire caused widespread panic in his community.

“I heard several gunshots when the two groups were exchanging fire on Monday,” he said.

“Most of the people in my village left their houses and ran helter-skelter to avoid being killed.”

Efforts to contact the military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Suleiman Omale, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off. He also did not respond to text messages.

The Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Governor Dauda Lawal, Mustafa Kaura, confirmed the incident but said he could not verify the number of casualties.

“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,” he stated.

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