The Nigerian Army has apprehended a notorious bandit leader and arms dealer, Bako Wurgi, suspected of being behind the murder of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Mohammad Bawa, in Sokoto state.
How troops captured notorious bandit leader
The operation, conducted by troops of the 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, on December 14, followed intelligence reports that Wurgi was receiving treatment at a hospital in Shinkafi town, Zamfara state, for injuries sustained during a clash with a rival group.
Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism and insurgency expert specializing in the Lake Chad Basin, disclosed the arrest on Sunday, December 15, via a post shared on his website.
According to Makama, the operation leading to Wurgi’s apprehension was carried out on Saturday, December 14.
He noted that Intelligence sources confirmed that troops apprehended Wurgi after discovering he had been transported to the hospital with multiple cuts and gunshot wounds.
“The sources said that During the operation, two accomplices fled, but troops arrested another individual who assisted in transporting the suspect in a tricycle,” Makama said.
How Sokoto Emir was killed
The late Emir of Gobir was abducted on July 9, 2024, in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area, Sokoto State, and murdered on August 22, after ransom negotiations collapsed.
Wurgi linked to emir’s murder
“Reports indicate that Wurgi played a key role in the kidnapping and subsequent killing, which involved ransom negotiations that included cash and motorcycles but ultimately failed,” Makama stated.
Speaking further, Makama described Wurgi, as an arms smuggler with international connections, is reportedly related to Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, through his grandfather.
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Police arrest bandits’ leader inside Niger market
Meanwhile, Legit reported that the Niger state police command confirmed the arrest of notorious bandit leader Rabiu Yusuf, alias Rabee Shawulu.
Ebenezer Danmamman, the state police CP, confirmed that the force also nabbed 14 others through intelligence reports.
The recovery of various arms signals a significant dent in the capabilities of criminal elements operating in the state.
