In a brazen display of power, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has imposed a N22 million levy on four villages in Sokoto State following the death of one of his gang members during a military operation. According to reports from Vanguard, the fine is not only a punitive measure but also intended to offset the cost of firearms allegedly lost during the raid. This development underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s northwest, where banditry continues to terrorize rural communities.
Aminu Boza, a lawmaker representing Sabon Birni West in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, confirmed the levy to journalists, noting that one of the affected villages, Garin Idi, is the hometown of Deputy Governor Idris Gobir. Boza revealed that Turji, who has shifted his operational base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area (LGA), initially demanded N25 million but reduced it to N22 million after negotiations with village representatives. “He is just like a businessman who has multiple shops and is going around to supervise them,” Boza remarked, describing Turji’s movements across the region.
The lawmaker expressed frustration with the military’s inconsistent presence in the area, arguing that their failure to sustain operations leaves villages defenseless. “Anytime they withdraw, it is the villages that bear the brunt,” Boza said, pointing to a recent attack that claimed the lives of six Sokoto Community Guards members. He emphasized that despite repeated assurances from the Ministry of Defence—including high-profile visits to Sokoto—banditry remains a formidable threat.
Adding to the villagers’ woes, Turji is reportedly demanding N250,000 from the families of 13 worshippers abducted two weeks ago in Sabon Birni LGA. So far, five captives have been freed after their families paid the ransom, leaving eight others in captivity. This highlights the bandits’ ruthless strategy of extorting vulnerable communities for profit.
Boza called on the military to intensify and maintain their operations in eastern Sokoto, stressing that only consistent action can dismantle Turji’s network and restore peace. The situation paints a grim picture of a region caught between daring bandits and an overstretched security apparatus. As Turji continues to wield influence, the plight of Sokoto’s villagers serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective, sustained intervention to curb the escalating banditry crisis.
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