Following the death of one of his fighters in a military operation in Sokoto State, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly imposed a hefty N22 million levy on four local villages.
According to sources in the area, the hefty charge is intended to cover the cost of weapons lost during the operation and to serve as retaliation for the death of Turji’s member.
One of the villages affected by this levy is Garin Idi, the hometown of Engineer Idris Gobir, the current deputy governor of Sokoto State.
Hon. Aminu Boza, the representative for the Sabon Birni West Constituency in the state House of Assembly, confirmed the imposition of this extortionate demand.
Boza further revealed that Turji, who has been a constant threat in the region, has since moved his base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area in Sokoto State.
“He is just like a business man who has multiple shops and is going round to supervise them. He is currently in the eastern part of Isa. That was where the villagers met him for negotiation and he reduced the money from N25 million to N22 million.
“I have always criticized the military for not sustaining their operation in the eastern part of Sokoto because anytime they withdraw, it is the villages that bear the brunt.
Read Also: Nigerian Military dismisses reports of Bello Turji’s arrest
“Because the bandits always vent their anger on the villagers.
“The Ministers of Defence have visited Sokoto about four times and assured our people that banditry would soon be a thing of the past.
“But look at it, the bandits are still attacking our people. Few days ago, they killed six operatives of the Sokoto Community Guards. I am appealing to the military to intensify and sustain their operation in the eastern part of Sokoto. This is the only way to restore total peace in the area.
He also revealed that Turji has demanded a ransom of N250,000 from each of the families of the 13 worshippers who were abducted approximately two weeks ago in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
“They have so fare released five captives after their families paid the money,” he said
