Military apprehends bandits commander’s arms suppliers in Zamfara

The military high command announced on Thursday that troops arrested suspected gunrunners providing firearms to bandits’ leader, Bello Turji.

The military did not reveal the identity of the three individuals who were apprehended in Kaduna between November 14 and 17, 2023.

Turji and 18 others were declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters on November 14, 2022, and a N95 million prize was placed on their heads.

Turji, regarded as one of the most dangerous bandits’ kingpins, was allegedly involved in the death of over 200 people, including women and children, in January 2022.

He was also suspected of being behind the attack on Garki village in Sokoto in 2021, in which over 80 people were killed in a single night.

Turji had evaded military air strikes aiming at killing him on multiple occasions.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations, told journalists in Abuja that the suspects were on their way to give weaponry and ammunition to the bandit commander in Zamfara when they were apprehended by troops.

He said, “Between November 14 and 17 2023, troops in separate operations arrested three suspected arms dealers (names withheld) in Zango Kataf and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they were on their way to deliver ammunition to Bello Turji, who is a notorious terrorist leader in Zamfara State.

“Troops recovered 504 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 100 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, three RPG chargers, three mobile phones, one ATM card, and one vehicle.”