A Sokoto State lawmaker, Aminu Boza, has confirmed the presence of bandits kingpin, Bello Turji, in one of the forests in the Isa Local Government Area of the state.

The lawmaker, who represents Sabon Birni Local Government in the state House of Assembly, while speaking with our correspondent on telephone on Friday, confirmed that Turji has been collecting tax from the people in the area.

The notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has been sighted in eastern Sokoto, where he has reportedly imposed a ?25 million levy on villages, a state lawmaker has alleged.

“Bello Turji is currently in the Isa and Sabon Birni axis of Sokoto. He has even imposed a ?25 million levy per village in some communities,” Boza claimed.

The lawmaker urged security agencies and local authorities to intensify operations against bandits.

In a related development, security forces in the LG have recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious arms trafficker, identified as Hamza Surudubu, who has been allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups operating in the region.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), confirmed the arrest.

Usman confirmed the arrest in a text message sent to our correspondent in the state on Friday morning.

The message reads, “A 35-year-old suspected ammunition courier identified as Hamza Samaila Surudubu has been apprehended by Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, (SSCGC), Isa Division.

“The suspect was arrested today 20/02/2025 along Shinkafi Road. The suspect was arrested by SSCGC Isa Division and Civilian J T F.

“Preliminary investigation have indicated that Hamza Samaila was enroute to deliver arms and ammunition to Turji, Boka and Halilu Buzu.

“The case was transferred to security agencies for further investigation” the statement concluded. (The PUNCH)