No fewer than 100 persons were reportedly killed on Monday during a fierce gun battle between foot soldiers loyal to notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, and members of the Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), in what residents described as one of the deadliest clashes in recent times.
Naija News reports that the violent encounter occurred near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and left the entire community in panic, according to eyewitness accounts gathered by PUNCH.
A resident, Sa’idu Garba, told Punch that the CPG fighters, with support from the Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), launched a surprise offensive on Turji’s camp in a daring move to capture the terror leader dead or alive.
He said the group was mobilised under the leadership of a repentant bandit, Bashari Meniyo, without notifying state security operatives.
“They mobilised themselves under the leadership of one repentant bandit called Bashari Meniyo and went straight to Turji’s camp to get him either dead or alive without the knowledge of the security agents,” Garba said.
However, their plans quickly unravelled as Turji reportedly received intelligence of the impending attack.
“Unknown to them, Turji got information that they were coming to fight him; as such, he quickly mobilised his men, who were over 1,000,” he added.
Garba narrated that the ensuing gun battle lasted several hours, with no intervention from security forces throughout the fight.
“There was a heavy fight between the two groups, which lasted for several hours without the intervention of the security agents,” he said.
According to him, over 100 of Turji’s fighters were killed, though the bandit leader narrowly escaped capture.
“Although Bello Turji narrowly escaped, over 100 of his people were killed during the gun battle,” Garba confirmed.
Tragically, the civilian side also suffered heavy casualties. The leader of the operation, Bashari Meniyo, was among the over 20 CPG members reportedly killed in the clash.
Garba said, “Bashari Meniyo, who led the CPG members, was killed along with other members of his group. If the security agents came to the area when the fight was going on, Turji would have been killed.”
Another resident, Mohammed Sani, said the fighting threw surrounding villages into chaos as residents fled for safety amid the deafening sound of gunfire.
He said, “I heard several gunshots when the two groups were exchanging fire on Monday. Most of the people in my village left their houses and ran helter-skelter to avoid being killed.”
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