The grip of terror has intensified in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as residents flee en masse following chilling threats from the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, who remains high on the nation’s most-wanted list.
Communities in Bafarawa, Arume, Gebe, and Kamarawa have witnessed a mass exodus over the past 72 hours.
According to terrified locals, Turji delivered an ultimatum to neighbouring settlements—Kamara, Arume, and Kagara—demanding that they vacate their villages by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday or face brutal consequences.
“This is no empty threat. We know what Turji is capable of. We left with only the clothes on our backs,” said Malam Shehu, a displaced elder from Bafarawa now taking refuge in a nearby village.
The infamous bandit leader has long been at the heart of the insurgency plaguing northwest Nigeria.
His threats are taken seriously not only because of his record but because of the silence that often follows them—an eerie stillness before another tragedy unfolds.
Local sources report that Turji’s renewed threats have sparked panic across at least three districts in Isa LGA, triggering large-scale displacement of families, farmers, and traders.
“This is beyond just another attack. These threats are calculated, organized, and carried out with impunity
“If the government continues to look away, more communities will fall under siege,” said Musa Abdullahi, a resident who fled from Kagara.
Amid the growing chaos, residents expressed frustration at the lack of a coordinated government response. Many allege that Turji is operating with protection from unnamed actors, fueling speculation and deepening resentment.
“There’s no way a man this dangerous should be moving freely. The silence of the authorities is deafening,” said Amina Yusuf, a civil society advocate based in Sokoto.
The impact is far-reaching. Aside from Bafarawa and the named villages, others such as Surudubu, Tsullawa, and Garin Fadama are also reportedly on edge.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that entire communities now face an uncertain future as schools close, markets are deserted, and livelihoods are destroyed.
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