Residents of several communities in eastern Sokoto State, particularly Tidibale, a small farming settlement in Isa Local Government Area, have begun fleeing in large numbers following fresh threats issued by the notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji.
The renewed warning, which comes after months of relative silence from the bandits’ kingpin, has triggered widespread fear, forcing families to abandon their homes and farmlands in anticipation of possible attacks.
Findings revealed that many residents have escaped to Isa town, Gidan Hamisu and neighbouring Shinkafi Local Government Area in Zamfara State, seeking refuge from what they believe could be another wave of violence.
According to locals, Turji’s latest move appears to be an attempt to reassert his relevance and authority after a lull in his activities. He reportedly warned of “dire consequences” for Tidibale and the surrounding villages that have refused to align with him.
The threat has further worsened the fragile security situation in Sokoto East, where rural settlements remain highly exposed to attacks. Women, children and elderly persons are among those displaced, while farmers who should be preparing for the next planting season are now sheltering in overcrowded homes or makeshift camps, uncertain about their return.
“We left everything behind; life is more important than crops,” a displaced resident said.
A video circulating online showed numerous vehicles conveying people and their belongings out of the affected villages, underscoring the scale of the displacement.
Meanwhile, some communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, including Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru and Kanwa, are said to have entered into a truce with Turji. Under the reported agreement, the communities pledged not to confront or report his activities, a decision residents described as a survival strategy rather than support.
A public commentator on banditry and kidnapping in Sokoto East, Altine Guyawa, said the development has altered the region’s security dynamics. He explained that Turji has now concentrated his activities in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno and Rabah Local Government Areas, areas that have not entered into any truce with him.
Guyawa noted that such threats often follow periods of silence, serving as reminders of a bandit leader’s presence and influence.
“It is about relevance and control,” he said, warning that civilians usually bear the greatest cost, often paying with their lives.
