By editor
The Zamfara State chapter of the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has issued a strong warning concerning the emboldened actions of Kachallah Bello Turji, a notorious mass murderer, kidnapper, and bandit leader. This call to action follows the release of video footage showing Turji with unprecedented audacity, which NAN asserts is inadvertently supported by the actions or inactions of the Zamfara State government.
In the recent video, Turji made allegations against the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. While the Northern Awareness Network had previously tolerated such instances, the latest clip signifies a crucial turning point where silence equates to complicity. NAN has declared that inaction is no longer an option.
Samaila Kwali, the NAN state chairman, delivered a powerful statement emphasizing the intolerability of a government allowing criminal organizations to operate freely with brazen impunity: "It is unacceptable for a government charged with the responsibility to protect the lives and properties of its citizens to allow such open displays of criminality."
NAN called on Governor Dauda Lawal to immediately cease any actions that could be perceived as playing dubious political games at the expense of the lives of the citizens. Kwali stressed,
"From the interview with Turji, it is clear he was playing a script handed to him by certain desperate politicians in the state, aiming to discredit Matawalle by insinuating his connections with bandits. However, the ill-conceived scheme backfired."
Turji's inaccurate assertions during the interview, notably the unfounded claim that bandits still held significant influence in the government house more than a year after Matawalle had left office, not only backfired on the current governor, Dauda Lawal but also revealed the desperation and lack of credibility of some Zamfara state politicians.
Throughout Matawalle's tenure as governor, none of the headquarters of the 14 local government areas were ever infiltrated by bandits. Unfortunately, under the current administration, several local government headquarters and even the state capital have been invaded by bandits in just the first year.
This is a clarion call to the Zamfara State government and all relevant authorities to take decisive and effective measures to end the menace posed by Turji and his gang.
"The latest video clip featuring Kachallah Bello Turji is a stark reminder that we cannot afford to be silent any longer. The audacity of such criminals to appear freely and at will in public spaces is a clear indication that the state’s security apparatus is either compromised or grossly ineffective. We will not stand idly by while the lives of innocent citizens are endangered," said the chairma.
"Governor Dauda Lawal must prioritize the safety and security of his constituents above all else. The time for political maneuvering is over. It is high time the government demonstrates its commitment to eradicating the threat posed by these killer gangs," the chairman added.
The NAN urges all citizens, civil society organizations, and concerned stakeholders to demand accountability and swift action from the Zamfara State government. The fight against banditry and crime requires a collective effort and begins with ensuring that no criminal feels invincible enough to challenge the authority of the state.
The Northern Awareness Network is a leading advocacy group dedicated to promoting peace, security, and socio-economic development in Northern Nigeria. Through various initiatives, NAN aims to raise awareness, influence policy, and mobilize community efforts to tackle the region's most pressing challenges.
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