Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly threatened retaliation following the recent arrest of his close ally, Bako Wurgi, by Nigerian Army forces.
Wurgi, also known as Baka NaGarba, was a pivotal figure in Turji’s operations, particularly in negotiating ransoms and managing payments from kidnapping activities.
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst specializing in counter-insurgency in the Lake Chad region, revealed that Turji is enraged by Wurgi’s capture and has vowed to launch reprisal attacks.
Reports indicate that Wurgi was apprehended by the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade after credible intelligence led them to his location.
At the time of his arrest, he was receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Shinkafi town, Zamfara State, for injuries sustained in a clash with a rival faction.
Wurgi is accused of several criminal acts, including arms trafficking and involvement in high-profile murders, such as the killing of Alhaji Isa Mohammad Bawa, the Emir of Gobir in Sokoto State.
The Emir was kidnapped in July near Kwanar Maharba in Sokoto State and killed three weeks later after ransom negotiations failed.
The Nigerian Army stated that during Wurgi’s arrest, two accomplices managed to escape, while another individual who used a tricycle to transport him was detained.
Makama added that Turji has begun reaching out to influential figures in the Shinkafi area, including local chiefs and village heads, warning of attacks on their communities if Wurgi is not released.
According to reports, Turji has expressed his willingness to offer substantial resources, including money and livestock, to secure Wurgi’s freedom.
Known for his extensive control over people and livestock, Turji has allegedly pledged to leverage these assets to pressure the authorities into complying with his demands.