No fewer than 48 security operatives have been reportedly killed by rampaging bandits led by the notorious Bello Turji following an ambush near Shinkafi LGA in Zamfara.

Multiple reports said the attack happened over the weekend, noting those killed included members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and soldiers.

In a viral video seen on Wednesday, Mr Turji was flanked by his members, jubilating around the bodies of the slain operatives.

Security sources told Peoples Gazette some of those who took part in the bloodshed had been previously rehabilitated as part of a social programme introduced by former Governor Bello Matawalle.

This development came weeks after Amnesty International said bandits had killed at least 10,000 Nigerians in the first two years of President Bola Tinubu, who touted his security credentials that had brought cold comfort to millions of Nigerians.

In a recent report, the human rights body said, “A new investigation shows that, in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara state.”

According to the report, the majority, if not all, of those affected by these attacks were farmers, whose displacement means they could no longer cultivate their farms.