Some displaced residents of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State have lamented increased banditry in the area, saying their family members are undertaking huge risks to move to Niger Republic.
They told Saturday PUNCH that their relatives fled to the West African country following renewed threats and attacks by gunmen loyal to the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
A video clip that circulated on social media during the week showed residents fleeing the affected communities.
The clip has since been confirmed by local authorities.
The Secretary of the Sokoto Eastern Zone Development Association, Professor Muazu Shamaki, said the exodus began last Friday after Turji issued threats to settlements around Tidibali, a community within the council.
“People in the local government area received threats from bandits. Since last Friday, many residents have been rushing to the local government headquarters to lodge complaints,” he stated.
According to him, over 20 settlements across different parts of the local government area have been evacuated in response to the threats.
In separate interviews with our correspondents, former residents said their relatives and family members were fleeing to Niger Republic.
One of them, Mohammed Saleh, who is currently in Dole Kena, a border community between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State, said many residents embarked on dangerous cross-border journeys in search of safety.
Saleh said, “A lot of people have travelled to Niger Republic to join their families—some with their wives and children, others even with their parents. Those of us here cannot really state the condition of everyone in Niger right now.”
For those still trapped in the affected communities, he said uncertainty continues to loom large.
“For us that are still here, we don’t know what our fate will be,” he said.
He noted that some residents were intercepted by authorities after crossing the border and sent back to Nigeria.
“Upon crossing the border, some of us were arrested by authorities and returned to our country,” he said.
Despite the risks, Saleh said many residents still considered fleeing safer than remaining behind.
“The journey was not easy; it was actually hazardous. Nevertheless, it is safer for us to go than to stay,” he said.
According to him, the latest wave of attacks began about three weeks ago.
He said kidnappings had become rampant, with families struggling to raise ransom for abducted relatives.
“My elder brother was also kidnapped, and they demanded millions of naira for his release,” Saleh said.
“We took the money to them, yet they did not release him.”
He explained that the family met the bandits in Gidan Saleh to deliver the ransom.
“We took N5m to them. They still demanded an additional N2.5m before releasing him,” he added.
Also speaking, a 75-year-old farmer, Sarkin Noma of Tidibale, said insecurity in the area had persisted for years with no sign of easing.
According to him, bandits frequently abduct residents and demand ransom, but in many cases, victims are not released even after payment.
He said the worsening situation had forced many residents to flee to neighbouring Niger Republic through difficult and unsafe routes.
“I cannot even say how many people have gone to Niger. Even my son and others are there with their families,” he said.
“The journey is not easy, and at my age, I cannot cross the border,” he added.
Another displaced resident, 66-year-old Mallam Ibrahim, said he fled his community about a week ago following threats linked to Turji.
“I had to run away with my family. We are hiding here for now,” he said.
“We heard that security personnel have been deployed and that some people have returned, but we will wait for more information before going back.”
Displaced residents take refuge in classrooms
An activist with the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, Bashar Altine, said the eastern territorial district of Sokoto had been under persistent bandit attacks for over a decade.
He confirmed that videos circulating on social media showing people leaving Trinidad Valley and surrounding settlements were authentic.
“The affected areas are from my own locality—Isa and Sabon Bini. Shinkafi, now in Zamfara State, was once part of Isa Local Government. So whatever happens in Shinkafi affects Isa and Sabon Bini,” Altine said.
According to him, most of the bandits operating in the area, including Bello Turji, are indigenes who lived there all their lives.
He said Turji had been terrorising the communities for between 13 and 14 years, adding that residents were familiar with his movements and operations.
“We know his hometown. We know where he moves with his cattle and other livestock. We know where he basically has his operational base. We know where he lives,” he said.
Altine described the latest incident in Tidibali as a direct threat issued by Turji to the villagers.
“A few days ago, he went to the village because he can move freely everywhere except where there is security. He told the people of Tidibali, ‘Take your people and leave this area.’
“He also gathered people, killed about three persons in their presence, and issued a warning: ‘You should leave this area. This is my last warning,’” he said.
The violence, he said, forced many residents of Tidibali to flee, with some relocating to nearby Sabon Bini or Isa town, while others crossed into the Niger Republic.
According to Altine, several displaced persons are currently taking shelter in public school classrooms in Isa, which have been temporarily converted into relief centres.
“Some went to Isa town where they have relatives, others to Sabon Bini, and some even to Indama in the Niger Republic.
“The majority are now taking refuge in Isa, inside classrooms at Isa Secondary School. No classroom is being used for lectures at the moment,” he said.
Altine added that non-governmental organisations and private individuals had begun providing support to the displaced residents.
“The Moragia Foundation sent delegates and relief materials. Aminu Amadu Sani from ESA also sent a delegate with relief items. I believe the government is now making arrangements for relief support,” he added.
Despite rumours that Turji may have been killed following a reported United States airstrike, Altine said the bandit leader remains alive and active in the area.
“We are from the same locality. Turji is just about 30 to 35 kilometres away from Isa. Communities he has terrorised still receive information about his movements.
“Turji is still alive. His brothers—Danbokolo and Malam-Illa—are also alive and are constantly terrorising people,” he said.
“This clearly shows that Bello Turji is still alive. We regularly pass information to security agencies, and they know he is alive,” Altine added.
Residents appeal for help
Despite relocating, Shamaki said some residents had remained in contact with relevant authorities, including civilian and military security formations.
“We have the JTF, the civilian JTF, and the IMU. Despite all the security you think we have, it is really happening. It is confirmed. It’s real,” he said.
Shamaki appealed to government authorities at all levels to address the crisis through a coordinated response.
“As indigenes of the area, we are highly disturbed. We are very worried and unhappy about the situation, and we have been complaining,” he said.
“We call on the federal government, the state government and even the local government to adopt a coordinated approach so that this issue can become history,” he added.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that those in Dole kena border town were over 700, while no fewer than three trailer loads of other people moved to the Niger Republic.
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