He questioned why separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention while notorious bandits kingpin Bello Turji continues to move freely.
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano State, Alhaji Musa Ungoggo, has criticised the Nigerian government over selective justice in the handling of Nigeria’s security and judicial processes.
He questioned why separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention while notorious bandits kingpin Bello Turji continues to move freely.
Ungoggo made the remarks while addressing party members and supporters, where he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of applying the law unevenly, depending on political and regional considerations.
According to him, the government demonstrated efficiency and decisiveness in the arrest, extradition, prosecution, and incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, but has failed to show the same resolve in dealing with Bello Turji, a feared bandit leader operating mainly in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“They arrested Nnamdi Kanu, extradited him to Nigeria, prosecuted him, and today he is in prison. Judgment was passed, he was taken to court, and the process was completed,” Ungoggo said.
He added that Kanu’s case showed that when the Federal Government is determined, it can deploy its security, intelligence, and legal machinery to the fullest.
However, the ADC chieftain expressed deep concern that despite widespread reports of killings, kidnappings, and destruction linked to Turji and his group, the alleged bandit leader has not been arrested or brought before a court of law.
“They failed to catch Bello Turji from Shinkafi red-handed and bring him to Abuja to give him the same treatment,” Ungoggo said. “Bello Turji is still roaming freely in Shinkafi, Zamfara State, while innocent citizens continue to suffer.”
Ungoggo described the situation as painful and dangerous, warning that it sends a wrong signal to Nigerians and emboldens criminal elements across the country.
Meanwhile, insecurity in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Kaduna, has reached alarming levels, with bandit groups operating openly, collecting levies, and terrorising rural communities.