Bello Turji’s bandits kill scores, abduct villagers in Sokoto

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

The incidents were reported by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who cited residents as saying the attacks claimed the lives of villagers, a soldier, and a vigilante member, while many abducted persons remain unaccounted for.

According to Makama, survivors said the bandits ambushed travellers along the Yankasuwa–Masawa road on Wednesday, abducting passengers from vehicles.

On Thursday, they attacked Garki village, killing one person, abducting 16 others, and rustling three cows. The violence continued on Friday with raids on Turtsawa and Faru villages, where 28 residents were seized.

Meanwhile, the security expert said the Movement for Social Justice, a civil society group in Sokoto, confirmed the attacks and said their monitoring indicated repeated assaults within a few days despite claims of peace negotiations.

The group called on the Sokoto State Government to act urgently to curb the violence.

Last week, the Defence Headquarters in Abuja dismissed reports that Turji had surrendered, with the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, stating that he remains on the military’s wanted list.

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

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Bello Turji’s bandits kill scores, abduct villagers in Sokoto