Zamfara panel: Turji must publicly surrender arms to prove he’s repented

The Zamfara committee on prosecution of bandit-related offences says Bello Turji, the notorious criminal kingpin, must publicly surrender his arms before his repentance can be recognised.

Abdullahi Shinkafi, chairman of the committee, spoke on Tuesday at a press briefing in Gusau, Zamfara state capital.

The Zamfara government recently said Turji has repented from his criminal ways and has embraced peace.

But Shinkafi said the committee would not be a party to any dialogue with bandits because most of them are not sincere.

“As far as I am concerned, I know that he has embraced peace but I cannot say that he has repented because if he has repented, he has to surrender all his arms and ammunition, come to the government and submit his arms like what other repentant bandits did,” Shinkafi said.

“Anything to do with dialogue with bandits, count me out because most of them are not trustworthy, they are not sincere, they are not honest, whatever you agreed with them, they will still go back to their bad business, most of them.”

Shinkafi also lamented the “prolonged investigations and delayed prosecution” of arrested bandits.

“The major problem we are having is from the security agencies and the judges and lawyers who are protecting these criminals, when you arrested a bandit with 11 AK-47 rifles, which evidence are you waiting for? He needs to be sent to his creator,” he said.

“When an armed bandit was caught in an act, killing people and you are waiting for investigation, what are you investigating for? Send him to his creator.”