Bandits loyal to Bello Turji kill several, abduct dozens in Sokoto communities despite peace negotiations claims

Bandits loyal to Bello Turji kill several, abduct dozens in Sokoto communities despite peace negotiations claims

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits loyal to notorious kingpin, Bello Turji, have carried out a series of attacks on communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving several people dead and dozens abducted between Wednesday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 16.

The attacks, according to residents, claimed the lives of villagers, a soldier, and a vigilante member, while the fate of many abducted persons remains unknown.

Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the bandits moved from one community to another, abducting residents and causing panic.

“On Wednesday, they laid an ambush for travellers along the Yankasuwa–Masawa road, stopped vehicles and abducted all passengers on board,” one survivor said.

On Thursday, the gunmen attacked Garki village, abducting 16 persons. One was killed, another managed to escape, while three cows were rustled.

The attacks continued on Friday when they raided Turtsawa and Faru villages near Sabon Birni, abducting 28 residents. Families of the missing persons are still searching for their loved ones.

The Movement for Social Justice, a civil society group in Sokoto, confirmed the incidents, noting that their monitoring indicated repeated attacks within four to five days despite peace negotiations claims. The attack is suspected to be orchestrated by Kallamu a top Loyal fighters of Bello Turji.

“Our reports show multiple attacks in succession. It is possible some incidents have gone unreported. We call on the Sokoto State Government to act swiftly and implement recommendations we have submitted to curb the atrocities of Turji’s fighters,” the group said in a statement.

The civil society organization offered prayers for the victims and appealed to government and security agencies to intervene urgently to stop what they described as “unrestrained brutality” in eastern Sokoto.

Last week, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja dismissed claims that Bello Turji had surrendered and accepted amnesty.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, told journalists in Abuja that Turji had not surrendered and remained on the wanted list of the military.

Turji, who operates between Sokoto and Zamfara States, is accused of masterminding several deadly raids and mass abductions across the North-West.

Bandits loyal to Bello Turji kill several, abduct dozens in Sokoto communities despite peace negotiations claims