Suspected bandit leader, Bello Turji, is reported to have killed 11 farmers in Lugu, a community in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack took place in the early hours of Wednesday as Turji and his gang were reportedly returning from a Sallah visit.
A resident of Isa, Basharu Altine Giyawa, confirmed the incident, stating that locals had known about Turji’s planned trip to the eastern region of Gatawa, in the neighboring Sabon Birni Local Government Area, since Saturday.
According to Giyawa, residents alerted security forces about the movement but did not receive an adequate response.
“Turji and his men left Fakai in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State yesterday. They traveled through several villages in Isa for the Sallah festivities. Sadly, on their return journey, they killed 11 farmers,” he recounted, blaming the tragedy on the authorities’ failure to act on local intelligence.
Sani Abubakar, a local security source, also confirmed receiving reports about Turji’s movements but insisted the notorious bandit did not celebrate the festival in any area under his jurisdiction.
“We got intel about his plans to visit eastern Gatawa and took action. We deployed forces to Sabon Birni to block his access. This could be why he retaliated by attacking innocent farmers in Isa,” Abubakar suggested.
Another source claimed Turji had earlier stopped in Tozai village, where he allegedly killed the head of a vigilante group before continuing his route.
When contacted, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, said only the military could confirm details of the attack, as they oversee security operations in the area.
Efforts to reach the Nigerian Army for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Lt. Col. Abdullahi, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Operations for Operation Hadarin Daji, could not be reached.
