A lot of people are leaving their homes in the eastern portion of Sokoto State, especially Tidibale, a tiny farming hamlet in the Isa Local Government Area. This is because bandit leader Bello Turji has made new threats and warnings.
At least five people, including a former councillor and Mr. Igbabe Ochi, the 2019 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Otukpo-Akpa state constituency, were reportedly killed in a midnight attack on the Otobi Akpa community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. This was when Turji made his threats.
Vanguard reported that the US government has sent important military supplies to Nigeria as part of its attempts to fight terrorism, banditry, abduction, and other violent crimes in the country.
Residents stated that the warning from Bello Turji, which came after months of relative silence from the bandits’ leader, has caused new terror and made families leave their homes and farms.
Many families have fled to the towns of Isa, Gidan Hamisu, and Shinkafi in Zamfara State to escape what they think could be more bloodshed.
People in the area say that Turji is trying to regain importance and prominence after a break in his operations, threatening “dire consequences” for Tidibale and nearby settlements that haven’t joined him.
The warning has made the already weak security situation in Sokoto East worse, since rural villages are still at risk.
Displaced people include women, children, and the elderly. Farmers who should be getting ready for the upcoming planting season are now sleeping in relatives’ homes that are too small or in temporary shelters, not knowing when or if they will ever be able to go back.
“We left everything behind; life is more important than crops,” a person who had to leave their home informed our reporter.
A viral video shows a lot of cars transferring people and things out of the unstable towns.
On the other hand, reports say that Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru, and Kanwa in the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State have all made peace with Turji.
Residents said that the villages agreed not to confront or denounce his actions, which they saw as a way to stay alive rather than as acquiescence.
Altine Guyawa, a public commentator on banditry and kidnapping in Sokoto East, remarked that the situation has changed the geography of terror in the area.
He said that Turji is currently focused on Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, and Rabah Local Government Areas, which are communities that have not made peace with him.
Guyawa said that these kinds of threats often came after long periods of silence, which was a way for the bandit leader to remind people and the government that he was still around.
“It’s about control and relevance,” he added, adding that populations typically pay the biggest price, which is death.
In a midnight attack on a Benue town, suspected Fulani herdsmen killed a former councilor and four other people and kidnapped four more.
In a similar incident, at least five people, including Mr. Igbabe Ochi, a former councilor and the 2019 People’s Democratic Party House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, were reportedly killed in a midnight attack on the Otobi Akpa community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Four men and one women were reportedly killed in linked events in the early hours of yesterday by suspected armed herders. This made the community less safe and more tense.
A local source said that the attackers broke into the village about 1:30 am and went straight to a grocery store where some people, including Mr. Ochi, were.
“They killed four people at the store and stole food, which shows they were looking for food.” The source claimed, “When residents heard gunshots, young people got together to confront them, but the attackers ran into the woods.”
He went on to say that there had been other kidnappings in the area recently, allegedly by the same armed herders who, according to villagers, have refused to leave Akpa land.
The attack was confirmed by an Emergency Situation Report from the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) at their headquarters in Otukpo, Benue South.
The report says that the four people that died in the store were Igbabe Ochi, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba, and Sunday Iruja.
Mr. John Anyebe, the President of the Otobi village Development Association, revealed that the attackers came into the village by the railway station bridge from the Ijami axis of Otobi.
New supplies from the US help Nigeria battle terrorism.
At the same time, the US government has sent important military supplies to Nigeria to help with the country’s ongoing security operations.
The United States Africa Command, or AFRICOM, said in a message on its verified X (previously Twitter) account yesterday that the supplies were given to the Nigerian government in Abuja.
The command says that the delivery shows that the United States is still committed to enhancing its security engagement with Nigeria.
“US troops brought important military supplies to our partners in Nigeria in Abuja. AFRICOM wrote, tagging the United States Mission in Nigeria, @UsinNigeria, “This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership.”
The most recent help comes as Nigeria and its international partners continue to work together to improve their ability to deal with security issues throughout the country.
Shehu Sani praises supplies
Shehu Sani, a former senator from Kaduna Central, said that the US’s decision to send military weapons was timely and respectable.
He stated that the help would make Nigeria’s efforts to fight crime stronger, especially in the North-West.
“I read the rumors that the US has sent important military supplies to Nigeria. He said in a post on his X handle, “That is a welcome development and commendable.”
The former senator told other countries who say they want to help Nigeria to do what the US has done and give real help in the battle against terrorism and banditry.
“Other countries that say they like or love us should do the same thing.” We applaud any action that can be taken to get rid of Bello Turji, Adamu Aleru, Baleri, and other terrorist criminals in Zamfara’s hinterland, Sani said.
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