A prominent figure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has expressed deep outrage over the brutal murder of more than 35 kidnapped victims by armed bandits in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area.
Speaking to the press in Gusau, the state capital, Dr. Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, described the killings as “barbaric, inhumane, and ungodly.” He strongly criticized the Federal Government, accusing it of failing in its constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
Alleged Government Interference in Turji's Arrest
In a startling revelation, Dr. Shinkafi raised concerns over what he described as interference by top federal authorities in the attempted arrest of a notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. According to him, operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were on the brink of capturing Turji in a direct confrontation, only to be halted by orders from above.
“The CJTF had surrounded Turji’s location and were close to arresting him, but a directive from the top instructed the state governor to halt the operation. They claimed Turji was ready to negotiate peace with the government,” he alleged.
Secret Peace Committee Visits Bandit Kingpin
Dr. Shinkafi went further to disclose the existence of a peace negotiation committee, allegedly led by a senator from Bauchi State, Senator Buba, which reportedly visited Turji in his hideout.
“This committee visited our Emir in Shinkafi, and when I called to confirm, the Emir admitted it was true. They had gone to broker peace with Turji directly in the forest,” he stated.
Following the visit, Turji reportedly released two videos urging other bandit groups to embrace peace. However, Dr. Shinkafi questioned the sincerity and effectiveness of such peace gestures.
“What kind of peace are they talking about? What terms are being discussed? How can murderers and terrorists be trusted in any dialogue?”
A Stern Warning to the State Government
Dr. Shinkafi called on the state governor, Dauda Lawal, to resist any pressure to engage in peace negotiations with the armed criminals. He emphasized that previous peace deals with bandits under past administrations including those led by Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle had yielded no meaningful results, only leading to more bloodshed and betrayal.
“These bandits are not trustworthy. They are deceitful, unrepentant killers. Negotiating with them is a waste of time and resources. Governor Lawal must stand firm and refuse any reconciliation attempts with terrorists.”
Heartbreaking Details of Executed Hostages
Dr. Shinkafi shared the tragic account of the February 2025 mass abduction in Banga village, where 53 people men and women were kidnapped. The bandits demanded ₦1 million per hostage, yet only 18 families were able to pay the ransom.
“Even after some relatives paid, the bandits executed the remaining captives in cold blood,” he recounted.
In a horrifying twist, some survivors said they were forced to kill their own relatives under duress. Those who resisted were immediately shot dead.
Women Give Birth in Captivity — With Deadly Consequences
In one of the most disturbing parts of his briefing, Dr. Shinkafi revealed that three pregnant women gave birth while in captivity. One of the babies, he said, was murdered by the bandits in an act of extreme cruelty.
“One newborn was crying and the bandits claimed it was disturbing them. They pulled the baby from his mother, smashed his head on a rock, and the mother, in shock, suffered a fatal heart attack within 30 minutes.”
A Call for Military Action, Not Dialogue
Dr. Shinkafi appealed to the Federal Government to deploy the full force of military and security agencies to aggressively combat the terrorists operating across Zamfara State. He advocated for a “kinetic approach” a term referring to full-scale military intervention insisting that only force, not negotiation, can restore peace in the region.
“We are dealing with heartless killers. The government must respond with strength, not softness. This is not the time for dialogue; it’s the time for decisive military action.”
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