- The Nigerian police have warned that one of the most wanted bandit kingpins, Bello Turjii, is not an officer, even though there are pictures of him wearing police uniform
- Turji is said to be one of the deadliest terrorists in Nigeria's north-west geopolitical zone, with hundreds of fighters under his command
- The police, through its spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said contrary to claims in some quarters, there was "never" a time Turji was recruited into the Force
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering public journalism, insurgency, and security matters.
FCT, Abuja - The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has described insinuations that a notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, was once recruited into the police as false.
This denial was made on Wednesday, January 17, by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson.
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Adejobi said the picture of Turji in a police uniform being circulated online "is not a new one".
He wrote on his known X (formerly Twitter) handle:
"Turji has never been recruited into the police. It's a lie. This picture is not a new one."The Punch also reported that the Zamfara state police command dismissed rumours that Turji had been recruited into the Force as part of the reconciliation process.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Yazid Abubakar, said Turji was neither a member of the Nigeria Police Force nor affiliated with the institution in any way.
He stated: “It is vital to note that the said bandits usually get such uniforms when they murder uniformed personnel or attack operational formations."Banditry: Tension-stricken Zamfara residents flee
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that four communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara state - Mahuta, Mutumji, Kwana, and Unguwar Kawo, were abandoned following the abduction of 110 people by bandits.
The Zamfara residents were kidnapped for refusing to pay N110 million monthly levy to a notorious terrorist leader.
Police arrest notorious bandits' leader
Meanwhile, police have arrested a suspected bandits' leader, identified as Rabiu Yusuf, best referred to as Rabee, at the popular Tunga Mallam market, Paikoro LGA of Niger state.
The commissioner of police in Niger state, Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, made this disclosure to newsmen while parading different suspects arrested by his command.
Source: Legit.ng
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