Villagers brace for reprisals after bandit kingpin’s killing

Ribadu

Following the killing of a bandit kingpin, Yellow Dan Bokolo, residents in the North-West have started preparing for possible reprisals from members of his group.

Sunday PUNCH learnt that the killing of Bokolo, a key commander and top enforcer in wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji’s terror network, had emboldened villagers to form vigilant groups to confront bandits.

Bokolo, believed to have spearheaded several brutal raids and maintained control over key forest routes, was neutralised on June 29 alongside over 200 fighters during a coordinated onslaught by the Department of State Services and hybrid operatives.

The killing, alongside recent crackdowns on other notorious bandits, delivered a major blow to Turji’s network and weakened operational links in the terror cells in the region.

‘We are prepared to fight’

A resident of Shinkafi town in Zamfara State, Sani Ibrahim, said people in the area had been mobilising and preparing to squarely face Turji and his men in case of reprisals for Bokolo’s death.

“We are ready to fight Turji and his foot soldiers who might want to avenge the killing of their brother, Bokolo,” he said. Punch