Sokoto – Panic has gripped Isa Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto State. Thousands are fleeing their homes following terrifying Bello Turji threats. Turji, a notorious bandit leader high on Nigeria’s most-wanted list, has reportedly intensified his menacing activities. In the last 72 hours, communities like Bafarawa, Arume, Gebe, and Kamarawa have turned into ghost towns as residents escape for their lives. The fear instilled by the Bello Turji threats is palpable.
“This is not an empty threat. We know what Turji can do. We had to leave with nothing but the clothes on our backs,” shared Malam Shehu, an elderly man displaced from Bafarawa. His testimony underscores the grave danger perceived by the fleeing villagers.
Growing Desperation Over Unchecked Bello Turji Threats
The recent threats have caused widespread alarm across at least three districts in Isa LGA. This has resulted in a massive displacement of families, farmers who have abandoned their fields, and traders who have closed their shops. Residents express deep frustration over the perceived lack of a coordinated government response to the escalating crisis. Some even voice suspicions that Turji might be operating with protection from influential, yet unnamed, individuals.
Amina Yusuf, a civil society advocate based in Sokoto, voiced her concern: “A man this dangerous should not be moving freely. The silence from the authorities is deafening and deeply worrying.”
Urgent Pleas for Intervention Escalate
A growing chorus of civil society groups, human rights organizations, and religious leaders is urgently calling for immediate government intervention. They warn that if the situation is not addressed swiftly and decisively, it could rapidly deteriorate into a full-blown humanitarian crisis. The welfare of thousands of displaced individuals hangs in the balance.
“We don’t just need a security presence; we need decisive action,” pleaded Hajiya Rabi, a mother of five who managed to escape from Arume. “People are dying, homes are being set ablaze. How much more must happen before the authorities act?” The urgent appeals highlight the desperate need for safety and aid as communities unravel under the weight of the Bello Turji threats.
By Abiodun Labi
