The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed outrage over the reported killing of over 100 individuals during a violent confrontation between members of the Civilian Protection Guard (CPG) and fighters loyal to the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Council of Zamfara State.
The human rights group described the incident as a devastating reminder of the near-total collapse of security governance in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where non-state actors operate with impunity while formal security agencies remain inactive.
Local sources revealed that the CPG, supported by members of the Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), launched a surprise operation on Turji’s hideout. The offensive was reportedly led by Bashari Meniyo, a repentant bandit.
However, the operation failed as Turji’s men, allegedly tipped off in advance, launched a counter-offensive, resulting in a prolonged gun battle. The clash, which lasted several hours, resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, yet no intervention came from any formal security agency.
In a statement issued in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned the failure of the Nigerian military and police to intervene, calling it a blatant dereliction of constitutional responsibility.
He demanded the immediate resignation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, citing his inability to effectively respond to terrorism and protect civilians. Onwubiko stated that the incident highlighted the systemic breakdown in Nigeria’s security architecture.
He described it as scandalous that hundreds of civilians could organise and storm the stronghold of one of the country’s most dangerous terrorists without military support. The lack of intervention, he argued, represented a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust.
HURIWA also called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, accusing him of gross incompetence and negligence amidst escalating insecurity and widespread loss of life.
The group argued that the massacre in Zamfara was symptomatic of a government failing in its fundamental duty to protect lives and property.
Citing statistics, HURIWA referenced a recent Amnesty International report revealing that at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks across Nigeria since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023. The report indicated that 6,896 of those killings occurred in Benue State, while 2,630 were recorded in Plateau State.
The North-West region, including Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Sokoto, reportedly accounted for some of the highest casualty figures. HURIWA noted that states like Benue, Plateau, and Taraba also continue to experience frequent armed herdsmen attacks, displacing thousands and devastating communities.
The group criticised the security leadership as neither proactive nor reactive, but absent. It lambasted the Nigerian Army under General Oluyede for failing to conduct effective preemptive intelligence operations, respond rapidly to crises, or coordinate with community-led defence efforts.
