Wanted bandit leader Bello Turji sighted in Sokoto, imposes N25m levy on villages

Wanted bandit leader Bello Turji sighted in Sokoto, imposes N25m levy on villages

A Sokoto State lawmaker, Aminu Boza, has raised alarm over the resurgence of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, accusing him of imposing a ₦25 million levy on each village in parts of the state’s eastern region.

Boza, who represents Sabon Birnin Gobir in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Tuesday.

He revealed that Turji has reappeared in the Isa and Sabon Birni areas, demanding huge levies from local communities.

According to the lawmaker, villages unable to pay risk deadly attacks, further worsening the insecurity already plaguing the region.

Boza urged the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to take urgent action to protect residents and prevent further extortion by the bandit leader.

“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 stated.

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His statement comes amid reports that Turji, after months of being in hiding, is now active in the region again.

The lawmaker called on security agencies and local authorities to take immediate action to combat the growing insecurity and protect residents from further attacks.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, recently disclosed that Turji has expressed willingness to surrender, following intensified military operations that have weakened his network.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, General Musa revealed that Turji has lost his second-in-command and several top lieutenants, leaving him with limited options.

“He is now forced to release most of the people under him. Recently, he has begun to say he doesn’t want anything; he is ready to surrender,” General Musa said.

However, the Defence Chief emphasized that surrendering would not absolve Turji of his crimes, stating that all those responsible for killings and kidnappings must face justice.

Bello Turji remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorists, notorious for orchestrating violent attacks, mass kidnappings, and killings across the Northwest region.

Wanted bandit leader Bello Turji sighted in Sokoto, imposes N25m levy on villages