Residents of communities in the eastern part of Sokoto State, particularly Tidibale in Isa Local Government Area, are once again living in fear after fresh threats reportedly issued by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. The warnings, coming after months of relative quiet, have sparked panic and triggered the mass movement of families out of their homes.
Tidibale, a small farming community, has been one of the worst affected. Locals say Turji’s message was clear and frightening, forcing women, children, and the elderly to flee overnight. Many families have abandoned their farmlands and livestock, escaping to Isa town, Gidan Hamisu, and even neighbouring Shinkafi in Zamfara State in search of safety.
According to residents, the renewed threats appear to be an attempt by Turji to reassert his influence and remind communities of his presence. Those who have not aligned with him, locals say, were warned to expect “dire consequences,” deepening the already fragile security situation in Sokoto East.
A displaced resident summed up the mood simply: “We left everything behind. Life is more important than crops.” Viral videos circulating online show long convoys of vehicles carrying people and their belongings away from the affected villages.
Interestingly, while fear grips Sokoto East, several communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State—including Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru, and Kanwa—are reported to have entered into a truce with Turji. Residents there describe the agreement as a survival tactic, not loyalty, pledging not to confront or report his movements.
Security commentators say this has reshaped the “geography of fear” in the region. Public affairs analyst Altine Guyawa noted that Turji’s activities are now concentrated in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, and Rabah LGAs—areas that have refused any form of truce. He warned that such threats often follow periods of silence and usually come at a deadly cost to civilians.
The rising tension in the North-West mirrors violence elsewhere in the country. In Benue State, at least five people, including former councillor and 2019 PDP House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa constituency, Mr. Igbabe Ochi, were reportedly killed in a midnight attack on Otobi Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area.
Local sources said suspected armed herdsmen struck around 1:30am, killing four people at a provision shop before fleeing into the forest when youths attempted to resist. The Benue State Civil Protection Guards later confirmed the attack, identifying the victims as Igbabe Ochi, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba, and Sunday Iruja. The incident has further heightened fear in a community already grappling with kidnappings and insecurity.
Amid these developments, there was a rare note of reassurance as the United States government delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria to support ongoing security operations. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that the equipment was handed over to Nigerian authorities in Abuja, describing it as part of a shared commitment to tackling insecurity.
“U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja,” AFRICOM stated, emphasising the strength of the security partnership between both countries.
Reacting to the development, former senator Shehu Sani described the support as timely and commendable, urging other countries to back Nigeria with practical assistance. According to him, any effort aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks in the North-West is welcome.
As communities flee, lives are lost, and international support trickles in, many Nigerians are left asking the same question: how long will ordinary people continue to pay the price for insecurity, and when will peace finally return to these forgotten communities?
