Turmoil in Zamfara: Over 100 Killed as Civilian Guards Clash with Bandits in Shinkafi Ambush

In one of the most violent episodes witnessed in Zamfara State this year, no fewer than 100 people were killed on Monday during a fierce gun battle between the Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard (CPG) and fighters loyal to the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. The deadly encounter occurred near Cida village in the Shinkafi Local Government Area, leaving a trail of devastation, fear, and unanswered questions about the region’s security apparatus.

Eyewitness accounts from residents revealed a chaotic scene as the CPG, reportedly bolstered by members of the Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), launched a pre-emptive offensive against Turji’s camp. The operation, aimed at capturing or eliminating the terror kingpin, was spearheaded by a repentant bandit-turned-vigilante, Bashari Meniyo. However, the absence of coordination with state security agencies proved fatal.

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Clash with Kingpin: Civilian Guard’s Attempt to Capture Turji Ends in Bloodshed

According to eyewitness Sa’idu Garba, the civilian-led operation was carried out without notifying security operatives. “They mobilised themselves under the leadership of one repentant bandit called Bashari Meniyo and went straight to Turji’s camp to get him either dead or alive without the knowledge of the security agents,” Garba said.

Unfortunately for the CPG, their plans were compromised. Turji reportedly received advance intelligence about the attack and promptly mobilized over 1,000 armed fighters to defend his base. What followed was a prolonged gunfight that lasted several hours, sending surrounding communities into panic.

“There was a heavy fight between the two groups, which lasted for several hours without the intervention of the security agents,” Garba explained. He added that although Turji narrowly escaped capture, over 100 of his fighters were killed in the exchange. On the other side, more than 20 CPG members, including their leader, Bashari Meniyo, were killed.

“If the security agents came to the area when the fight was going on, Turji would have been killed,” Garba lamented.

The confrontation also sent shockwaves through nearby villages. Mohammed Sani, another resident, described hearing intense gunfire as people fled in fear. “Most of the people in my village left their houses and ran helter-skelter to avoid being killed,” he said.

Retaliation and Revenge: Security Operatives Targeted in Coordinated Ambush

In a chilling turn of events following the battle, Turji’s faction launched a retaliatory ambush, resulting in the deaths of 44 security operatives. This included 40 members of the Joint Task Force and four Nigerian soldiers. The ambush, which occurred near Shinkafi, is now being considered one of the deadliest attacks on security personnel in Nigeria’s northwest in recent history.

According to a report shared by security analyst Bakatsine on social media, the assailants also torched a military vehicle during the assault. The incident has not only intensified fears among residents but has also raised alarms within military and security circles.

Further escalating tensions, Turji reportedly released a video showing the execution of Bashari Maniya—believed to be the same as or closely related to the CPG leader Bashari Meniyo. In the video, Turji accused him of betrayal and collaboration with government forces after renouncing his bandit lifestyle. The footage, widely circulated on social media, underscored the ruthless nature of bandit operations in the region and their complex relationships with informants and former allies.

Federal Response and Growing Concern

Following these deadly events, the Nigerian military reaffirmed that Bello Turji remains a wanted man for multiple atrocities committed across northern Nigeria. Turji has long been associated with mass killings, kidnappings, and rural raids, with several failed attempts to apprehend him.

Calls for a more coordinated and forceful response have grown louder, with citizens and analysts alike questioning how such a large-scale battle could occur without any security force intervention. Many also warn of the dangers of empowering civilian defense units without official oversight or support, citing the failed operation as a stark example.

While Zamfara State continues to grapple with insecurity, the clash near Cida and subsequent ambush near Shinkafi have reignited debates about Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, intelligence sharing, and the urgent need for an overhaul of rural security policies.

The communities affected remain in mourning, with residents displaced, homes abandoned, and uncertainty looming over the safety of the region. As the nation reflects on the rising toll of the bandit insurgency, the tragic events of this week will undoubtedly shape security discourse in the months to come.