Communities in the eastern part of Sokoto State have raised fresh security concerns following reports that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his loyalists are conducting weapon training and tactical drills in parts of Isa Local Government Area of the state.

The development has heightened fears among residents of border communities who have for years endured repeated attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling along the Sokoto-Zamfara axis.

Security sources said the alleged training activities are taking place in communities such as Bingabale, Bafarawa, Bargaja and Gebe, all located within the Eastern Senatorial District.

The area has long been regarded as one of the operational strongholds of Turji and his network.

Turji is one of the most notorious bandit and terrorist leaders operating in northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto and parts of Niger State.

He has been linked to numerous deadly attacks that claimed the lives of scores of residents and security personnel, destroyed livelihoods and led to the abduction of many people across the region.

The bandit kingpin is believed to command dozens of fighters drawn from different camps in Zamfara State, including those in Zurmi, Sabon Birni, Anka and other communities.

Over the years, Turji has reportedly rejected several peace initiatives by affected communities seeking reconciliation to regain access to their farmlands, schools, healthcare facilities and markets.

In October 2024, a former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, directed troops of Operation Fansan Yamma to ensure the capture of Turji and other notorious bandit leaders, dead or alive.

Addressing the troops during a visit to Gusau, Zamfara State, Badaru said: “President Tinubu has asked me to thank you and to also encourage you to do more in ending insecurity in these operational areas.

“He is ready to supply everything you need to eliminate insecurity in the Northwest and across Nigeria.”

He added, “Are you ready to finish them off? Are you ready to end banditry in this country? Please get me Turji, dead or alive,” he added.

In the same year, the military high command also described Turji as a “dead man walking,” vowing to sustain operations against him and his fighters.

Despite these declarations and ongoing military offensives, Turji and his group have continued to carry out attacks and other criminal activities in parts of the Northwest.

A damaged military vehicle attacked with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Bargaja community, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday

‘Turji’s fighters undergoing military-style drills with new weapons’

The Sokoto State Coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, Basharu Altine Guyawa Isa, alleged in a Facebook post on Saturday that Turji’s fighters were undergoing military-style training and weapons handling exercises using newly acquired arms.

He said some of those participating in the drills include Illa Manawa and Bomi, whom he identified as Turji’s younger brother.

He claimed that the exercises involved the use of sophisticated weapons allegedly deployed during recent confrontations with security forces operating in the area.

Basharu further alleged that preliminary findings indicated that the weapons were part of a fresh consignment recently acquired by the group, raising concerns over a possible increase in the firepower available to armed gangs operating in the region.

“Our findings suggest that these fighters are currently engaged in weapons training and tactical exercises using newly acquired arms, including some of the same sophisticated weapons reportedly deployed during recent confrontations with security forces,” he said.

The alleged training sessions are said to be taking place in remote communities along the Sokoto-Zamfara border, an area that has remained difficult to secure despite ongoing military operations under Operation Fansan Yamma.

The activist also alleged that newly arrived fighters believed to have links with Boko Haram, and possessing advanced combat and weapons-handling skills, had entered the area to train and strengthen Turji’s fighters.

“There are indications that some of the new arrivals possess advanced combat and weapons-handling expertise. Their mission, according to sources, is to train and strengthen Turji’s fighters operating within the border communities of Sokoto and Zamfara states,” he said.

According to him, intelligence gathered from sources in Binchi suggested that a night-vision device allegedly purchased by Turji last week was among the equipment recently delivered to his camp.

Basharu further alleged that Kachalla Haru Dole and Kachalla Ibrahim Chimo, whom he described as commanders controlling large bandit camps beyond the Maradun River, were connected to the acquisition and movement of the weapons.

He claimed that the two commanders played key roles in facilitating the delivery of the arms alongside Turji.

The activist also alleged that ongoing investigations were uncovering details of a growing alliance between Chimo and Turji, which he said could form part of a wider strategy aimed at expanding their operational reach across Eastern Sokoto.

He expressed concern that the alliance might be part of preparations for coordinated attacks on the headquarters of five local government areas in the region before the peak of the rainy season.

Basharu said more information would emerge as investigations continued into the alleged alliance, the movement of the weapons and the broader security implications for communities across Eastern Sokoto.

He called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and take proactive measures to verify the intelligence and prevent any potential threat to lives and property.

Hours after making the allegations, the activist shared a video on Facebook on Sunday morning, which he claimed showed some of the newly acquired weapons in Turji’s possession.

In a follow-up post accompanying the footage, Basharu alleged that the video was released by Turji on June 20, 2026, and contained images of some of the weapons referenced in his earlier report.

He further claimed that Turji used the video to showcase what he described as successes recorded against security forces operating along the Isa-Bargaja corridor.

Daily Trust had reported how three soldiers were killed, and several others sustained injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a military vehicle conveying troops to Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The troops were said to be responding to a distress call following a bandit attack on the community in the early hours of Saturday.

Residents told Daily Trust that bandits invaded the village between 12:30am and 3:00am, shooting sporadically, forcing residents to seek military intervention.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the attackers planted an IED along the Isa-Bargaja road before the arrival of the troops.

In the video, which Turji released after the incident, the bandit warlord said he was excited that some of his enemies had been killed.

The claims contained in the Facebook posts and accompanying video could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the military nor the police authorities had issued any statement regarding the incident.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls, text and WhatsApp messages sent to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were not responded.

But sources close to the military said the military was aware of the intelligence reports and was assessing the situation.

He assured that appropriate security measures were being implemented in Sokoto State with red cycle showing local government where the attack took place

Turji’s atrocities

Turji, one of the most notorious bandit leaders operating in Nigeria’s North-West, has over the years been linked to numerous deadly attacks, mass abductions and violent confrontations with security forces, particularly in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

In July 2021, Turji reportedly took more than 200 people hostage, killed 63 residents and set over 338 houses ablaze in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack was said to be aimed at pressuring security agencies to release his father, who had been detained over alleged links to his son’s criminal activities.

Two months later, in September 2021, Turji launched another major attack in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack forced residents of more than 14 villages to flee their homes, while over 1,000 cattle were rustled.

Many residents reportedly crossed into the neighbouring Niger Republic and sought refuge in Maradi.

One of the most recent attacks linked to Turji was the assault on a joint military base known as Burkusuma Camp in Dama community, Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Dama is among the communities that have repeatedly come under attack from Turji and his loyalists.

During the attack, an unspecified number of security personnel were reportedly killed.

Military vehicles were burnt, while rifles and other military equipment were taken away by the attackers. The incident reportedly forced troops stationed at the camp to retreat to Basira, a border community near the Niger Republic.

The Nigerian military later attributed the attack to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In June 2025, Turji’s fighters were reported to have killed some security operatives during an ambush near Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security analyst Bakatsine also alleged that the attackers set a military vehicle ablaze during the incident.

Bakatsine further claimed that Turji released a video showing the execution of a former bandit, Bashari Maniya, whom he accused of collaborating with security agencies after abandoning criminal activities.

Earlier, in September 2024, a video surfaced online showing Turji and his fighters celebrating after two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army were burnt in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In the footage, the bandits displayed the destroyed vehicles while chanting victory slogans. Turji was also seen making claims that his group had seized military trucks and issuing threats against security forces.

In January 2025, suspected members of Turji’s group abducted 10 passengers and set their vehicle ablaze along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road in Zamfara State.

The attack occurred shortly after the Defence Headquarters declared Turji “a dead man walking” and vowed that he and other terror leaders would not survive beyond 2025.

The incident was believed to be connected to threats allegedly issued by Turji over the continued detention of his brother, Baka Wurgi, by military authorities.

The attackers reportedly ambushed the commercial vehicle at Kwanar Jalab village in Zungeru Ward of Shinkafi Local Government Area while it was travelling from Gusau to Shinkafi town.

On January 13 this year, Daily Trust reported that no fewer than 28 villages in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State had been deserted following persistent attacks by armed groups, particularly those loyal to Turji.

Residents of the affected communities told Daily Trust that they fled to Isa town, where many took shelter in a public school and other temporary camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The displaced residents said repeated killings, kidnappings, extortion through illegal levies and frequent attacks had made life unbearable in their communities, forcing them to abandon their homes and livelihoods.

Lawmaker faults FG over Turji’s activities

The member representing Sabon Birni Local Government Area in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as its failure to take decisive action against notorious bandit leader Bello Turji despite repeated reports about his activities.

Speaking with Daily Trust, Boza said that while the Sokoto State Government often responds whenever security concerns are brought to its attention, the Federal Government has not done enough to address the threat posed by Turji and his fighters.

He alleged that Turji’s loyalists still operate freely in some communities, leaving residents living in fear despite several complaints and warnings to security authorities.

“I have spoken about this repeatedly, but nothing has changed. In Gangara village, Turji’s boys are still there.

“They are said to be controlling activities and making decisions in the community. For years, nothing has changed, and they have not been attacked,” he said.

The lawmaker said he had made efforts to strengthen local security arrangements, including studying the community watch model introduced in Katsina State, which he said contributed to the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard.

Boza also questioned why security agencies had been unable to arrest Turji despite the deployment of modern security equipment and military assets.

“We have fighter jets and sophisticated weapons, yet Bello Turji has continued to operate freely for years. He appears in videos surrounded by hundreds of armed followers, but he has still not been arrested,” he said.

He called for stronger and more coordinated action by security agencies to end the activities of bandit groups operating in communities across Sokoto and neighbouring states.

Bandits, 2 policemen killed in Sokoto community

Several bandits and two police officers were reportedly killed on Sunday following a failed attack on Tureta town in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to sources, the armed attackers stormed the community at about 2:00 pm while many residents were observing the Zuhr prayer in mosques across the town.

Security operatives from the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, supported by personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), successfully repelled the attack, forcing the bandits to retreat and abandon some of their belongings, including cattle.

Sources said the security operatives pursued the fleeing attackers to a nearby village. However, the officers reportedly walked into an ambush allegedly laid by the bandits, leading to a fierce gun battle.

One of the community leaders in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the community had initially celebrated the successful defence of the town before learning of the casualties suffered by the police during the pursuit operation.

“We were in a celebratory mood because of the gallant efforts of the police in repelling the attack on our community.

“However, our mood changed after we received news that the officers were ambushed while pursuing the bandits. One officer was killed instantly, while another, who was seriously injured, later died after being evacuated to Sokoto,” he said

He expressed concern over the perceived inactivity of a military formation stationed in the town.

“We have a military formation in Tureta, but we do not understand its role because it does not respond to threats. If not for the presence of the police officers, Tureta could have been overrun by the bandits, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles,” he added.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls placed to him were not answered at the time of filing this report.

However, a senior police officer familiar with the operation confirmed the incident and the loss of two personnel during the ambush.

“The bandits attempted to attack Tureta town, but our men successfully repelled them,” the officer said.

He added that, “the attackers were estimated to be about 300 in number and were heavily armed with automatic weapons.”

He explained that after the failed attack, the bandits moved toward another village, prompting some officers to pursue them.

“Unknown to our men, some of the bandits had remained behind and laid an ambush. A gun battle followed. We inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, but unfortunately, we lost two of our officers. Their bodies are currently being transported to Sokoto,” the officer added.

The exact number of casualties among the bandits could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)

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