…Turji’s Days Numbered, Says Defence Spokesman
The Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday said it cannot confirm the alleged killing of 11 farmers by notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Bello Turji, in Lugu town, Isa Local Government Area of the state.
The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Turji was alleged to have killed the farmers while returning from a Sallah visit to a community in Isa.
According to reports, the locals had received intelligence about his planned visit to the eastern part of Gatawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area since Saturday and relayed the information to the authorities.
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly from the area, Hon. Aminu Boza, acknowledged receiving the report but insisted that Turji did not visit any community in his area for Sallah.
“Yes, we were informed about Turji’s planned visit to the eastern part of Gatawa, and we acted swiftly.
“We went to Sabon Birni and took security measures to prevent it. That could be why he took out his anger on innocent farmers in Isa,” he told Daily Trust.
As controversy surrounds the killings, THE WHISTLER contacted the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, who said the attack can only be confirmed by the military.
Rufa’i said, “We do not have such information at our disposal. In Isa LGA, there is an ongoing military operation, and in such cases, the police do not speak for the military.
“Any operation based on the military, we cannot speak for them so as to avoid conflict. I cannot confirm if there is any killing or not.
“On our table, we do not have such information on the killing,” Rufa’i reiterated.
THE WHISTLER further reached out to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, who said in turn contacted ‘Operation Fansan Yamma,’ but the officers were not able to confirm the report.
According to him, the officers directed him to confirm from the task force commander. He further told THE WHISTLER that he was awaiting a response from the commanders.
However, addressing journalists on “Overview of the Military Operation in the First Quarter” on Thursday, Kangye assured the public that security forces remain focused on apprehending Bello Turji.
He further dismissed claims that the military had downscaled operations against herdsmen, terrorists, and cattle rustlers, among others.
“Then on the aspect of whether the troops are not, or have downscaled their operations against cattle rustlers and some terrorists.No. As I read out, troops intercepted some trucks loaded with cows, and they recovered them, and they are still on the hunt for high-value terrorists. I have also read out the report for the quarter, some high-value terrorists that were eliminated during the quarter.
“I have mentioned their names. So as for Bello Turji, it is just a matter of time, an appointment will be fixed with him by his maker,” Kangye stated.
Police Can’t Confirm Bello Turji’s ‘Killing For Fun’ On Sallah Day is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler