The Zamfara State Police Command has refuted rumors suggesting that Bello Turji, a notorious bandits’ kingpin, has been enlisted into the police force as part of a reconciliation process.
Turji, who appeared in viral images wearing a police uniform and claiming to have joined the Nigeria Police Force as part of a reconciliation effort, has had these assertions swiftly contradicted.
Yazid Abubakar, the spokesperson for the state police command, clarified that Turji is not a member of the Nigeria Police Force and has no affiliation with the institution.
Abubakar suggested that the uniforms worn by the notorious bandits’ kingpin may have been taken from policemen he killed or seized during raids on police facilities.
He emphasized that Turji remains a wanted individual for his severe criminal activities against the people of the state.
He said, “The Zamfara State Police Command wishes to clear the air about the viral pictures of notorious bandit, Bello Turji, adorned in what appears to be a police uniform and the disinformation being spread that he is currently a police officer.
“It has been common knowledge in Zamfara State and in other places where criminals operate, they are found in real life or in social media using police uniforms and or uniforms of the other security agencies.
“They will be seen in uniforms while perpetrating their nefarious acts of kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and other inhumane acts to disguise their intent or catch unsuspecting victims unawares.
“The police hereby make it clear that these bandits, particularly Bello Turji, are at no point in time members of the Nigeria Police Force nor affiliated with the institution in any way.
“Rather, the police have declared him and others wanted for their acts against the state.
“It is vital to note that the said bandits usually get such uniforms when they murder uniformed personnel or attack operational formations.
“Hence, their dressing usually differs when you look at them keenly and intelligently, from the normal dress codes of those institutions, e.g. kaftan style camouflage, camouflage cap on black or denim uniforms, etc.”
The police urged public members to “disregard the deliberate disinformation which is an attempt to disrepute the great operational efforts of the police and other agencies involved in the fight against banditry in the country.”