By Ishaya Ibrahim
Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has levied every household and adult male member of Moriki community in Zamfara State several sums of money towards raising N30 million as compensation over killing of his cows by military men stationed in the community.
The 30-year-old terrorist initially demanded N50 million but later reduced it to N30 million after plea from members of the community, according to Bulama Bukarti, a researcher on counterinsurgency.
Bukarti said in a post on X, Sunday: “The people of Moriki Town of Zamfara State have managed to convince Bello Turji to reduce the ransom he imposed on them from N50 million to N30 million, with a Wednesday deadline for payment. This sum is supposedly compensation for the killing of Turji’s cows by the new commandant of the army base stationed inside Moriki.
“Each family head is required to contribute N10,000, while unmarried adults must pay N2,000. Despite the commandant’s advice not to pay and his promise never to harm Turji’s animals again, the commandant people remain doubtful.
“They fear that if they fail to meet this extortion demand, Turji will unleash violence upon them, with no one to protect them from his brutality. Currently, around 15 local politicians and social activists are in Turji’s captivity and they were abducted from within Moriki despite the presence of soldiers.”
