Residents Flee Sokoto Villages as Bello Turji Issues Fresh Threats

Residents of several communities in eastern Sokoto State, particularly Tidibale village in Isa Local Government Area, are fleeing their homes in large numbers following renewed threats from notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.

The fresh warning, which came after months of relative silence from the bandit kingpin, has sparked widespread fear and displacement. Families have reportedly abandoned their homes and farmlands, relocating to Isa town, Gidan Hamisu and neighbouring Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State in search of safety.

According to residents, Turji issued stern warnings to Tidibale and surrounding villages that have refused to align with him, threatening “dire consequences.” Locals believe the threats are part of an attempt by the bandit leader to reassert relevance and control after a lull in his activities.

“The warning has deepened the fragile security situation in Sokoto East,” a community source said, noting that women, children and the elderly make up a large number of those displaced.

Farmers preparing for the next planting season are now sheltering with relatives or living in makeshift camps, uncertain about when they can return.
“We left everything behind; life is more important than crops,” a displaced resident told Vanguard.

A viral video circulating on social media showed long convoys of vehicles transporting people and belongings out of the affected villages.

In contrast, some communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State — including Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru and Kanwa — are reported to have entered into a truce with Turji. Residents described the pact, which allegedly involves not confronting or reporting his activities, as a survival strategy rather than support.

Public commentator on banditry in Sokoto East, Altine Guyawa, said the development has altered the “geography of fear” in the region. According to him, Turji has now focused his activities on Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno and Rabah local government areas.

“Such threats often come after periods of silence. It is about relevance and control,” Guyawa said, warning that civilians usually pay the highest price. “And that price is often death.”

Benue Attack: Five Killed in Otobi Akpa

Meanwhile, insecurity continues to worsen elsewhere, as at least five people were killed in a midnight attack on Otobi Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Among the victims was a former councillor and 2019 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa constituency, Mr Igbabe Ochi. Four men and one woman were reportedly murdered by suspected armed herdsmen during the early hours of the attack.

A local source said the attackers struck around 1:30am, heading straight to a provision shop where some residents, including Ochi, were gathered.

“They killed four people at the shop and looted food items, suggesting they were searching for food,” the source said. “When gunshots rang out, youths mobilised, but the attackers escaped into the forest.”

An Emergency Situation Report by the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG), Benue South Headquarters in Otukpo, confirmed the incident. The victims were identified as Igbabe Ochi, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba and Sunday Iruja.

President of the Otobi Community Development Association, Mr John Anyebe, said the attackers entered the community through the railway station bridge from the Ijami axis.

US Delivers Military Supplies to Nigeria

Amid rising insecurity, the United States government has delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria to support ongoing counterterrorism and security operations.

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the delivery in a statement posted on its verified X handle, noting that the supplies were handed over in Abuja.

“US forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasises our shared security partnership,” AFRICOM stated, tagging the US Mission in Nigeria.

Reacting, former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, described the development as timely and commendable, especially for the fight against insecurity in the North-West.

“That is a welcome development,” Sani said in a post on X. “Other countries that claim to like or love Nigeria should emulate this gesture.”

He added that any support aimed at eliminating bandit leaders such as Bello Turji and other terror figures in Zamfara and neighbouring states should be encouraged.

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