Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has revealed that notorious bandit leader Jiya Turji extorted a staggering N6 million ransom from the residents of Sardauna village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Makama shared this alarming development on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, shedding light on the escalating reign of terror in Nigeria’s northwest.
According to intelligence sources, the hefty payment was made to secure the release of five villagers abducted by Turji’s ruthless gang during a violent raid. The ordeal plunged the community into fear and financial strain as the abductors initially demanded a much higher sum. Prolonged and tense negotiations ensued, culminating in the agreed ransom of N6 million.
Villagers described the negotiation process as harrowing, revealing the emotional and financial toll it took on their already struggling community. “We had no choice but to gather the money to save our loved ones. The government is nowhere to protect us,” a distressed resident lamented.
The five captives, who endured weeks of captivity in Turji’s camp, were finally freed after the ransom payment. Although their physical condition remains stable, their psychological scars are evident, underscoring the terror inflicted by the bandit kingpin.
Turji’s reign of terror has become a grim emblem of the region’s deteriorating security landscape. Despite the deployment of security forces, banditry continues to thrive, leaving many communities at the mercy of criminal overlords. Analysts have pointed out the need for a multi-faceted approach, including bolstering intelligence gathering, increasing military presence, and addressing the root causes of banditry such as poverty and lack of education.
Zagazola Makama’s revelation underscores the urgent need for decisive government action to curb the growing menace of banditry. Without such measures, countless communities remain vulnerable to exploitation and violence, their safety and livelihoods perpetually under siege.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, many hope that exposing such incidents will push authorities to prioritize the protection of citizens in areas plagued by insecurity. For the people of Sardauna and similar villages, the nightmare of Jiya Turji serves as a chilling reminder of the cost of inadequate security.
PIONEER NEWS 