Shinkafi, Zamfara State — A violent confrontation on Monday, June 24, 2025, near Cida village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State has left over 100 people dead in one of the bloodiest clashes in the region’s ongoing struggle with banditry. The deadly exchange occurred between fighters loyal to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and members of the Zamfara Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), supported by the Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to local sources, the CPG, under the leadership of a former bandit turned vigilante commander, Bashari Meniyo, launched a surprise raid on Turji’s camp with the aim of capturing or eliminating the notorious kingpin. However, the operation—carried out without coordination with formal security agencies—was compromised when Turji reportedly received prior intelligence and mobilized hundreds of his fighters in defense.
The resulting battle led to the deaths of more than 100 of Turji’s men, while the CPG lost over 20 fighters, including Meniyo himself. Turji narrowly escaped the onslaught. Nearby communities descended into panic as residents fled the escalating violence. As of press time, neither the Nigerian military nor the Zamfara State government has issued an official statement, leaving the death toll and other details unconfirmed.
In a related incident, reports indicate that Turji’s fighters ambushed a security convoy near Shinkafi on the same day. The attack allegedly claimed the lives of 44 personnel—40 members of the CJTF and four soldiers—and resulted in the destruction of a military vehicle. Turji later released a video showing the execution of Bashari Meniyo, accusing him of betraying the bandit cause by collaborating with security forces.
These developments underscore the worsening insecurity in Zamfara State and the resilience of bandit groups that continue to operate despite ongoing military operations.
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Government Failures Under Scrutiny
The recent violence highlights systemic failures at both the state and federal levels to effectively address banditry across Nigeria’s northwest. Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration in Zamfara has faced criticism for inconsistent policies, including unproductive peace deals with bandit leaders. The state’s growing dependence on poorly coordinated vigilante groups such as the CPG—operating independently of security forces—further reflects the breakdown of official security mechanisms.
The lack of any formal response from the Zamfara government days after the incident has deepened public frustration, as communities are left to protect themselves against heavily armed criminal elements.
At the national level, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under increasing pressure to fulfill its 2023 campaign pledge to restore security. Despite military efforts such as Operation Fanjan Yamma, aimed at dismantling Turji’s network, bandits continue to exploit ungoverned territories and porous borders. The Nigerian military, already overstretched, faces credibility challenges due to reported incidents of human rights violations and accidental airstrikes that have killed civilians.
There are also allegations of collusion within the security sector. Reports of arms trafficking to bandit groups by corrupt personnel have raised serious concerns, yet there has been little to no accountability. This apparent lack of will to identify and prosecute the sponsors of banditry fuels public distrust and allows criminal networks to thrive.
Moreover, both tiers of government have largely failed to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, youth unemployment, and the long-standing farmer-herder conflict. Efforts to arm civilians in 2022—a controversial decision opposed by the military—have further contributed to weapons proliferation, risking a full-scale militarization of local communities.
The massacre in Cida village is a grim reminder of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. Without a comprehensive approach that includes robust military operations, intelligence reforms, socio-economic interventions, and transparent governance, banditry will continue to destabilize the northwest. It is imperative that both the state and federal governments move beyond fragmented responses and adopt a unified strategy that prioritizes accountability, collaboration, and the protection of civilian lives.
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