Residents of several communities in eastern Sokoto State have begun fleeing their homes after Bello Turji, one of the most feared bandit leaders in the North-West, issued fresh threats following months of relative silence.
According to Vanguard, Tidibale, a farming community in Isa Local Government Area, has been hardest hit, with families abandoning homes and farmlands amid fears of renewed violence.
Locals said Turji warned of “dire consequences” for communities that have refused to align with him. The message quickly spread across the surrounding villages and triggered panic.
Many residents have reportedly fled to Isa town, Gidan Hamisu, and neighbouring Shinkafi in Zamfara State, seeking safety. Women, children and the elderly make up a large share of those displaced, while farmers preparing for the next planting season have been forced to leave their crops behind.
“We left everything behind; life is more important than crops,” one displaced resident told Vanguard.
A video circulating online shows long convoys of vehicles ferrying people and belongings out of the affected villages.
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Fear, truces and shifting bandit control
Security analysts say the threats appear aimed at reasserting Turji’s relevance after a lull in his activities. Some communities in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, including Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru and Kanwa, are reported to have entered informal truces with him — agreements residents describe as survival tactics rather than allegiance.
Altine Guyawa, a public commentator on banditry in Sokoto East, said the development has reshaped the region’s security map.
According to him, Turji’s focus has shifted to Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno and Rabah LGAs — areas that have not entered any form of truce.
“Periods of silence are often followed by threats,” Guyawa said. “It is about relevance and control, and civilians usually pay the highest price.”
Violence elsewhere, pressure mounting
The renewed tension in Sokoto comes amid continued insecurity in other parts of the country. In Benue State, at least five people — including a former councillor and 2019 PDP House of Assembly candidate, Igbabe Ochi — were killed in a midnight attack on Otobi Akpa community in Otukpo LGA, according to local sources and state security reports.
Meanwhile, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the US has delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
“US forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja,” AFRICOM said in a statement posted on X, describing the move as part of continued security cooperation.
Former senator Shehu Sani welcomed the development, urging other international partners to provide similar support to help neutralise bandit leaders operating across the North-West.
