More than 5,000 residents have fled their homes in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state following threats of deadly attacks by notorious gang leader Bello Turji, local sources and officials reported Monday.
According to local lawmaker Habibu Halilu Modachi, Turji sent armed men to several rural communities, warning residents to vacate by Sunday afternoon or face lethal consequences. The ultimatum led to mass evacuations across Bafarawa and nearby villages over the weekend. At least 12 people have been killed so far, with the toll expected to rise as new reports emerge.
The displaced are now seeking refuge in Isa town, Shinkafi in neighboring Zamfara state, and other safer areas. Survivors recounted scenes of chaos, with bandits firing indiscriminately, looting food, money, and valuables. Witnesses described the attacks as ruthless, with at least two killed and several others injured or kidnapped even after the initial threats.
Turji, who turned from cattle herding to armed crime in 2011, has long been accused of orchestrating kidnappings, raids, and extortion in northern Nigeria. Despite past peace deals with state authorities, he repeatedly violated agreements and resumed violent operations.
His forces reportedly control parts of Sokoto state, where they impose levies on residents and carry out brutal reprisals against non-compliant communities. Residents and security officials say Turji is both feared and revered by his followers, who believe he possesses mystical protection.
The situation reflects the broader security crisis in northwest and central Nigeria, where criminal gangs often collaborate with insurgents involved in the long-running Islamist conflict in the northeast. Nigerian military operations, including recent airstrikes targeting Turji’s camps, have so far failed to neutralize his network.