PRESS RELEASE:
SOKOTO KILLINGS: FIND BELLO TURJI, DEAD OR ALIVE –
MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has tasked the
Nigerian Army to find Bello Turji, a notorious bandit
leader, dead or alive. The group believes that he is the
key to the defeat of banditry in Sokoto and Zamfara
states.
MURIC threw the challenge in a press release issued by
its director and founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on
Monday, 13th December, 2021.
The statement reads:
“Sources close to the Sokoto branch of MURIC have
reported the strong nexus between one Bello Turji, a
notorious bandit, and insecurity in Sokoto and Zamfara
states. He coordinates almost all attacks and he was
allegedly behind the barbaric shooting and burning of
passengers in a bus in Sokoto last week.
“Currently, he is believed to be somewhere in the Eastern
part of Sokoto. He was the one who challenged the
government sometime in August 2021 demanding the
release of his father or else about 150 people kidnapped
around Shinkafi would be slaughtered.
“More than 500 people have been killed by bandits under
the leadership of Bello Turji within the last six months
between Isa, Sabon Birni, Rabah and Goronyo Local
Government.
“Hundreds of bandits take their inspiration from him. The
Nigerian military needs to find this dangerous man. Nail
him and bandits in Sokoto and Zamfara zone will be in
disarray. A commando style operation may become
necessary in order to neutralize Bello Turji. But he must
be found at all cost, dead or alive.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
