In a surprising turn of events, bandits led by the notorious kingpin Bello Turji have taken control of a military Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Zamfara State following a tactical withdrawal by Nigerian troops.
The situation unfolded when the APC became immobilized in a swampy area during a mission, forcing the troops to retreat and leave the vehicle behind. The incident, which has raised concerns, was confirmed through an amateur video circulating on social media, showing Turji and his followers celebrating their acquisition of the military vehicle and a cache of ammunition.
Local security officials in the North-Western state clarified that the APC was not forcefully seized. Instead, it was abandoned after becoming stuck in difficult terrain. The Nigerian military was alerted by a distress call about a meeting between the Baleri banditry gang and some Zamfara locals in the Zurmi area. As tensions escalated, another group attacked the Baleri gang, prompting troops to intervene but eventually retreat.
The source emphasized that the APC was not captured by terrorists but was taken over by bandits only after the troops had withdrawn. The decision to retreat was made to avoid a potential ambush, with plans to retrieve the vehicle using a tow truck.
RELATED:
- NAF Special Forces Eliminate Notorious Terrorist Kingpin, 5 Others in Kaduna
- 100 Yoruba Groups Threaten South-West Secession If Military Coup Occurs
SOKOTO KIDNAP IS FAKE NEWS – REPORT CONFIRMS
In a related development, a viral video claiming the mass murder of over 150 kidnapped individuals in Sokoto State has been debunked as fake news. The video, depicting scenes of gunfire and dead bodies, was found to originate from Burkina Faso, where a jihadist group linked to Al Qaeda had killed over 400 civilians. PRNigeria’s fact-check confirmed that the footage, misleadingly attributed to an event in Sudan, had been falsely shared on social media.