Residents of several rural communities in eastern Sokoto State have fled their homes in large numbers following a renewed threat by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
The panic began in Tidibale, a farming community in Isa Local Government Area, after Turji issued warnings targeting settlements that have not aligned with him. According to locals, the threat came after several months of relative silence by the bandit leader, sparking fear that violence could return.
Families, including women, children and the elderly, abandoned their homes and farmlands, carrying only what they could as they sought safety in towns such as Isa and Gidan Hamisu, as well as neighbouring Shinkafi in Zamfara State. Many displaced residents are now living in overcrowded shelters or with relatives, leaving behind crops and livelihoods they had worked hard to build.
One displaced farmer summed up the desperation: “Life is more important than crops,” reflecting the difficult choice many have had to make.
Security analysts say Turji appears to be trying to reassert his relevance and control after a quiet period. His threats specifically targeted communities that have resisted his influence, including areas in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno and Rabah local government areas.
In contrast, some villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area, such as Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru and Kanwa, have reportedly entered into truces with Turji’s faction. In these arrangements, residents agreed not to oppose or report the bandit leader’s activities, a strategy locals describe as a survival tactic rather than acceptance of his authority.
The displacement comes amid ongoing insecurity in the North West, where attacks, kidnappings and raids have become a recurring threat to rural life. Recent reports from neighbouring communities indicate that violence linked to Turji’s network has also included lethal assaults and abductions, further deepening fear and instability in the region.
As the crisis unfolds, residents and commentators are calling for urgent action from federal and state authorities to protect vulnerable communities and stem the rising tide of displacement.
