Panic As Bello Turji Reappears, Issues Fresh Threat To Sokoto, Zamfara Villages

The fragile peace enjoyed by the villagers of Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas in Sokoto East Senatorial District appears to be under severe threat, as the feared bandit leader, Bello Turji, has resurfaced with a threat to annihilate those who are not loyal to his authority.

The threat delivered to Tidibale village in Isa Local Government has sparked fears, causing a massive exodus from not only Tidibale but also neighbouring villages.

A local from Tidibale who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The entire village is in awe of what might become their fate, hence the resolution to abandon all that matters to them, and run for their lives.

“As I speak to you now, the majority of us are left without harvesting our crops. Some moved to Isa town, others to neighbouring villages of Shinkafi local government, Zamfara state, just for safety”.

Lamenting their plight, Alhaji Shehu said that, considering how deadly Turji and his angels of death could be, they had no option but to relocate; hence, they could not meet his numerous demands.

Continuing, Shehu said, the painful side of the panic displacement is that they now have to live as internally displaced persons with relatives, or in makeshift tents in open fields under this severe, harsh weather.

“Now, we have to depend on handouts from relatives or even beg to feed our families. And sometimes, we go hungry when no alms are gotten”.

Disclosing the content of Bello Turji’s demand, Shehu said, part of the request was to pay a levy, vow not to report his whereabouts, activities, and cooperate with his foot soldiers on any other matter of particular concern.

Responding to an inquiry about the incident, Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, stated that they have yet to receive formal notification of the alleged threat.

He, however, added that, seeing the stories circulating on social media platforms, they contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of that area to verify and get back to them.

Although Rufai disclosed that a few days ago, bandits stormed Bargaja village of the same Isa local government area, killed two persons and whisked away an unspecified number of persons.

The Police image maker, while assuring that all measures were in place to apprehend the bandits, pleaded with locals to provide credible information about possible threats, levy impositions, and all other sanctions by bandits to security agencies, enabling them to act proactively.

Efforts to also reach the Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, in this development proved unsuccessful, as he wasn’t picking up his calls at the time of filing this report.