A musician in Sokoto State, Mohammad Danshanawa, has run into trouble for singing the praises of wanted banditry kingpin, Bello Turji.
The state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, ordered immediate arrest of the musician, who in a viral music audio described Turji as “a lion, untouchable and a great leader”.
Governor Tambuwal said Danshanawa’s arrest was ordered to serve as a deterrent to other musicians of like minds.
“This further informs why I advised that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces should consider, because in those places where there are security challenges, the inhabitants are willing to be trained on weapons handling,” Tambuwal said.
Some residents of Sokoto also condemned the action of the singer, according to Sahara Reporters.
Squadron leader, Aminu Bala, said: “The song is capable of misleading young people to begin to idolize or even pay allegiance to the terrorist.”
Another man resident in the North, Abdullahi Bala, said: “This is a very sad development, and it is coming at a time of acute security deterioration.
“As it is, one cannot move from Sokoto here to Illeila, yet someone is praise-singing a terrorist.”
Bello Turji is a 27-year-old ruthless bandit operating in Sokoto and Zamfara states. He had on different occasions rejected peace deals from the state governments.
The only time he said he was open to dialogue was when Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi, visited his camp in Zurmi (Zamfara State).
