The people of Moriki town in Zurmi LGA, Zamfara State, have successfully negotiated with bandit leader Bello Turji to reduce the ransom from N50 million to N30 million. Turji has set a Wednesday deadline for the payment.
The ransom is purportedly compensation for Turji’s cows, which were killed by the new commander of the Army base in Moriki.
Under the arrangement, each family head is required to contribute N10,000, while unmarried adults must pay N2,000.
Despite the commander’s advice against paying the ransom and his assurance not to harm Turji’s animals again, the villagers are proceeding with the payment. They fear that failing to meet the demand could lead to further attacks from Turji, with no protection against his violence.
About fifteen local politicians and social activists remain in Turji’s captivity. They were abducted from within Moriki, despite the presence of soldiers in the village.
