KANO, Nigeria: At least twelve militiamen fighting jihadists have been killed in clashes with criminal gangs in northwest Nigeria, militia sources told the media on Monday.
North-west and central Nigeria have been plagued by notorious criminal gangs who organize deadly raids on villages and kidnap residents for ransom.
Although motivated by financial gains, there are concerns among officials and analysts about their growing ties with jihadists who have led a 14-year insurgency in the northeast.
Militia members said they had moved from fighting jihadists to help fight gangs near Nigeria’s northwestern border with Niger.
They said they killed scores of criminals, locally known as bandits, during fierce fighting in Sokoto State on Sunday.
Sources in the militia said the bandits were loyal to notorious warlord Bello Turji. “We lost 12 of our comrades in fighting with bandits outside Fakai village, Bello Turji’s stronghold near the border with Niger,” said Babakura Kolo, the northeastern anti-jihadist militia leader. The fighting started after the capture of Turji’s father by the militia during a raid, he added.
Formed in 2013, the militia were later trained by the military and have been fighting jihadists alongside troops.
According to Kolo, militia members have been working with soldiers in areas of Sokoto state where Turji is in control.
Turji has assumed control of three districts where he imposes taxes on communities and conducts deadly raids against those who fail to pay.
