Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his gang have reportedly launched a deadly attack on Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing five residents and injuring a member of the Community Guard Corps.

The assailants, who invaded the village in the early hours of Saturday, also abducted nine people, mostly women, according to local sources.

Prior to the attack, a social media post by local activist Basharu Altine Guyawa had raised an alarm over the movement of Turji and his men.Guyawa reported that the gang was sighted moving out of the Fadanar Tursa and Dorawar Madugu toward Dan Huntuwa via the Katutu Bridge, which links Shinkafi and Isa Local Government Areas.He claimed that Turji was accompanied by about 40 motorcycles, indicating a large-scale operation.

Guyawa accused local authorities and security agencies of failing to act on the intelligence, alleging negligence and misuse of funds meant for security operations.

While confirming the incident, Isa Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Sharehu Abubakar Kamarawa, however, dismissed claims of negligence and mishandling of the security situation in the area.

“Upon receiving the alert, we immediately mobilized local security guards and notified the relevant security agencies for swift action,” Kamarawa said.

He added, “Security personnel were deployed to the reported location, but intelligence later revealed that the bandits had diverted through another route, leading to the unfortunate incident.”

The chairman disclosed that the commander in charge of the area had been replaced following an internal review that cited lapses in coordination and response.

He reiterated the council’s commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics, fuel, operational allowances, and other essential resources.

“We deeply sympathize with the affected families and assure them that both the state and local governments are fully committed to restoring peace and stability in the area,” Kamarawa added.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his ongoing efforts to combat banditry, highlighting recent initiatives such as the distribution of patrol vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies and the reinstatement of monthly operational allowances for personnel.

The latest attack points to the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Sokoto State, particularly in the eastern axis, where armed groups continue to terrorize rural communities despite ongoing military and local interventions.

(Daily Trust)