Tension has escalated in Moriki town, located in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, as the deadline for a ₦30 million levy imposed by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has expired.
The levy was reportedly demanded after military personnel allegedly killed over 100 of Turji’s cattle three weeks ago. In response, additional soldiers have been deployed to the area to bolster security, along with members of the state’s Community Protection Guards (CPG).
Local residents have expressed mixed feelings about the situation. Aminu Musa, a resident, welcomed the increased military presence, saying, “We are happy because the presence of security personnel gives us a kind of relief. The leader of the troop assured us of adequate protection of our lives.”
However, others remain apprehensive. Iliyasu Ali voiced concerns over the bandits’ firepower, stating, “They are carrying more sophisticated weapons than the military. Our people are in serious panic as the deadline for the payment of the levy ends today.”
In recent weeks, the Nigerian military has intensified its operations against Turji and other bandit leaders in the region. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently declared that Turji’s days are numbered, announcing a manhunt for the criminal leader.
“Turji’s capture is imminent,” General Musa said during a press briefing in Abuja, outlining the military’s efforts to combat banditry across the country. He emphasized that the military is closing in on the bandit leader, describing him as “a deranged individual who feels powerful.”
General Musa urged local communities to cooperate with the military by withholding support and information from the bandits. “Most of these activities continue because we have informants within the communities,” he warned, stressing that community cooperation is crucial in defeating non-state actors engaged in asymmetric warfare.
Musa also highlighted the challenges of fighting insurgents who blend into local populations, cautioning that such conflicts are notoriously difficult to resolve without the support of local residents.
The security situation in Moriki remains tense, as residents await further developments in the military’s confrontation with Turji’s forces.
