A heavy gunfight is currently ongoing in Gatawa, a town in the Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State, Nigeria, between Nigerian soldiers, aided by local hunters, and a group led by the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
According to multiple sources in the town, the clash began around 6 a.m. and has continued without pause into the afternoon.
Residents say the armed bandits attempted to raid Gatawa, but soldiers and hunters positioned nearby quickly responded to prevent their entry. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, stated, “We believe Bello Turji himself is leading the attack.
“The shooting began around 6 a.m., and as of now (2:45 p.m.), the gunfire hasn’t stopped. Both sides are still exchanging fire.”
“We are in serious shock because no one knows what will happen in the next few hours. The town is quiet; no movement. No one is coming in or going out of the town at present.
“No one can give you details of what transpired between the soldiers and bandits for now. We can only have details of the encounter when the fight is over.
“We are hoping the soldiers will at the end defeat the bandits. Our prayers are that Bello Turji should be among those to be killed during the fight.”
Another local source described the situation as unprecedented, calling it “the most terrible encounter between soldiers and bandits we have seen in this area.”
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The source added, “We have never seen such a battle in this town before. We hope this will be the end of Bello Turji.
“Our hope is that more soldiers will be deployed to the area to support those on ground. I am sure the bandits will also call for reinforcement from their colleagues.”
Residents are urgently calling for more military reinforcements, fearing that Turji’s group could call in additional fighters.
Though Turji is based in the forests of Shinkafi in Zamfara State, his influence and operations reach into parts of Sokoto, especially in the Sabon Birni, Isa, and Goronyo local government areas.
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