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Bello Turji imposed a ₦22 million levy on four Sokoto villages after one of his men was killed
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Turji also demanded ₦250,000 ransom from families of abducted worshippers in Sabon Birni Local Government
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has imposed a N22 million levy on four villages in Sokoto State following the killing of one of his men in a military operation.
According to locals, the levy is also meant to compensate for firearms lost during the operation.
Hon. Aminu Boza, who represents Sabon Birni West Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, revealed that one affected village is Garin Idi, the hometown of the state’s Deputy Governor, Engineer Idris Gobir.
Boza further disclosed that Turji has relocated his base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area.
“He operates like a businessman overseeing multiple locations. He is currently in the eastern part of Isa, where villagers met him for negotiations. He initially demanded N25 million but later reduced it to N22 million,” Boza stated.
He criticized the military for not maintaining a sustained presence in the eastern part of Sokoto, noting that the villagers suffer the consequences whenever they withdraw.
“Each time the military leaves, the bandits retaliate against the villagers. Despite repeated visits by the Ministers of Defence, bandit attacks persist. Just recently, six operatives of the Sokoto Community Guards were killed,” he lamented.
Boza called on the military to intensify and sustain their regional operations as the only way to restore lasting peace.
Additionally, he revealed that Turji has demanded N250,000 from each of the families of 13 worshippers abducted two weeks ago in Sabon Birni Local Government.
“So far, five captives have been released after their families paid the ransom,” he added.
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