Bandit kingpin, Bello Turji’s men attack Sokoto communities, kidnap 37 people, injure others

Armed men reportedly led by notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji attacked communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night, abducting at least 37 people, killing a 10-year-old child and leaving several others injured.

Security analyst and journalist, Bakatsine, who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, disclosed the incident in a post on X on Thursday.

According to him, the attackers first stormed Tarah community, where they reportedly engaged local vigilantes in a gun battle that lasted for about an hour before abducting an unspecified number of residents, including women and children.

Bakatsine said at least 10 of the abducted residents later escaped in the early hours of Thursday.

He added that the gunmen subsequently invaded Takatsaba community, also in Sabon Birni LGA, where they abducted 37 people and killed a 10-year-old child during the attack.

Several other residents were reportedly injured.

According to the report, fears that the road leading to the General Hospital in Sabon Birni had been planted with explosives delayed efforts to evacuate the injured victims for medical treatment.

Bakatsine wrote: “SAD UPDATE: Last night, Bello Turji and his men attacked Tarah community in Sabon-Birni LGA of Sokoto State, where they spent about an hour clashing with vigilantes before abducting an unknown number of residents, including women and children. Community members say 10 people managed to escape early this morning.

“The bandits then moved to Takatsaba community, also in Sabon Birni LGA, where 37 people were abducted and a 10yrs old child was killed.

“Several others were injured, while fears that the road to General Hospital Sabon-Birni, may have been rigged with explosives reportedly delayed the evacuation of the wounded people.”

Authorities are yet to officially comment on the reported attacks as of the time of filing this report.