About 20 security operatives have been reportedly killed in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State by a group led by notorious bandit leader, Turji, operating in the Shinkafi area of the state.
Channels Television reports that the security operatives, who were mostly personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local vigilantes, were sent to a village which bandits have been ravaging for a while.
It was gathered that the Turji-led bandit group ambushed the security operatives, killed about 20 of them and set their patrol vehicle on fire.
Efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Aminu Maru to confirm the incident proved abortive as he did not respond to several phone calls.
However, the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson SP Muhammed Shehu told our correspondent that the command is preparing to issue a press statement concerning the incident.
The attack is one of the latest by bandits in the North-West who have gained national notoriety for their numerous violent acts, including the mass kidnapping of school children.
Several individuals, including Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have urged the Federal Government to designate the bandits as terrorists. The National Assembly has also passed resolutions to the same effect.
On Friday, the Minister of Defense, Bashir Magashi, said the Federal Government was in the process of reviewing and following the required procedures to designate the criminal gangs as terrorists.
It is believed that designating the bandits as terrorists will allow the military unleash its full force on the North-West criminals without triggering international human rights rebukes.