…abduct over 150 residents, travellers in 24 hours
Gunmen loyal to a notorious bandits’ leader in Zamfara State, Turji, have gone on the rampage, abducting over 150 villagers and travellers in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.
The bandits, who launched the attacks on Friday, First News learnt, are protesting the arrest of Turji’s father.
Already, no fewer than 150 persons have been abducted by the rampaging gunmen in the last 24 hours in the state, First News gathered from impeccable security sources.
It was learnt that two weeks ago, security agents apprehended Turji’s father in Kano and whisked him away to an unknown destination. And since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown.
In reaction, the bandits, on Friday, launched their attacks, invading and sacking villages, including Kurya, Keta, Kware, Badarawa, Marisuwa and Maberaya.
The bandits also laid ambush on the Gusau-Sokoto Road, where they abducted several travellers.
First News gathered that Turji, the bandits’ leader had vowed that he would ensure many people do not spend next week’s Muslim Sallah festival with their families if his father is not released from detention.
He was said to have questioned the rationale behind his father’s arrest by security agents who he said are not unaware of his own location.
Turji, it was learnt, had earlier sent a warning to “friendly villages” to vacate.
On Friday night, the bandit leaders’ men were said to have also stormed Shinkafi and abducted five women.
During the attack on the town, a rocket propelled grenade fired by the bandits was said to have destroyed some sections of the emir’s palace.
Efforts to speak with the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammad Shehu, proved abortive as he didn’t pick his calls as of the time of filing this report.