Armed bandits loyal to notorious terror leader Bello Turji have abducted 16 people and killed one person in a fresh attack on Garki village in Sokoto State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening and was confirmed by counter-insurgency expert and security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on his X handle on Wednesday.
According to Makama, the assailants, led by a senior Turji lieutenant identified as Kallamu, stormed the community in large numbers, firing indiscriminately to create panic among residents.
One resident told Makama that the attackers seized 16 people, killed a man, rustled several livestock, and injured three others who are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Sokoto.
The assault comes despite ongoing reports of peace negotiations between Turji’s faction and certain government mediators. Security sources quoted by Makama said the incident demonstrates the unreliability of the gang’s leadership and the futility of relying on dialogue.
“Bello Turji has repeatedly used so-called peace talks as a cover to regroup, resupply, and expand his influence,” one source said. “He cannot be trusted because every time there’s dialogue, his men continue to attack, abduct, and kill.”
Intelligence reports indicate that Turji’s criminal network remains highly active in the Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo areas of Sokoto State. Many of his fighters are also said to be involved in cross-border trafficking operations between Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
Turji, one of Nigeria’s most wanted terror kingpins, has been linked to numerous attacks, mass kidnappings, and cattle rustling incidents across the northwestern region. His operations have destabilized rural communities, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
The latest attack on Garki village has heightened fears among residents in surrounding areas, with many questioning the effectiveness of both the peace talks and current security measures.
Local authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, but security analysts warn that without decisive military action, Turji’s group is likely to continue its pattern of violence despite any ongoing negotiations.
The Sokoto State government, along with federal security agencies, has faced increasing pressure to address the activities of bandit networks, which have contributed to a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
For now, residents of Garki and neighboring communities remain on high alert, uncertain when the next assault might come. The attack underscores the continuing threat posed by Turji’s fighters and the challenges facing efforts to restore peace to northwestern Nigeria.
