Bello Turji Bandits Kill Two, Kidnap Several in Sokoto’s Isa LGA

Bello Turji Bandits Kill Two, Kidnap Several in Sokoto’s Isa LGA

Two people have been killed and several others abducted following a bandit attack in Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State, in an incident suspected to involve gunmen loyal to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the attack on Tuesday. DSP Ahmed Rufai, the police spokesperson, told reporters that the raid occurred on Monday, adding that more detailed information would be provided once the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) submits a field report.

“Two were killed, and some people were kidnapped, but we don’t yet have the exact number. We will get fuller details from the DPO of the local government,” Rufai said.

Local security sources and residents reported that Bargaja had previously been attacked days earlier, suggesting repeated raids along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis. The attacks have prompted mass displacement, with villagers fleeing to Isa town and neighboring communities for safety.

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Residents of eastern Sokoto, including Isa and Sabon Birni, have continued to face persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings, and forced displacement, despite assurances from security agencies. Over the past weekend, displaced persons from Tidibale ward were reported arriving in Isa town.

“The whole of Tidibale ward has been devastated by Bello Turji,” a local resident said in a written statement circulated to journalists. He appealed for urgent intervention from federal, state, and local authorities, warning that civilians were becoming “refugees in their own land.”

Security analyst Bashar Altine, from Isa LGA, described the situation as “deeply worrying,” noting that many displaced residents are sheltering in public schools, temporary settlements, and even crossing into Niger Republic to escape violence. Altine confirmed that Turji remains active in Isa and surrounding communities.

The renewed attacks highlight the persistent challenge of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, where communities continue to suffer from farm disruptions, school abductions, displacement, and the erosion of civic life due to insecurity.

Bello Turji Bandits Kill Two, Kidnap Several in Sokoto’s Isa LGA