Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji and his fighters launched coordinated attacks on at least six communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday night, leaving a trail of death, injuries, abductions, and livestock rustling in what residents described as one of the most extensive raids in recent weeks.
The attacks, which occurred on July 2, 2026, targeted the communities of Takalmawa, Dunkawa, Adamawa, Sardauna, Wuntsile, and Ayagi. Local sources told our correspondent that the assailants, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, operated for several hours, shooting sporadically and terrorising residents before retreating into the surrounding bush.
Security analyst Bakatsine, who confirmed the incident in a post shared on X on Friday, wrote: "SAD NEWS: Last night, bandits led by Bello Turji again attacked multiple communities in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State, including Takalmawa, Dunkawa, Adamawa, Sardauna, Wuntsile and Ayagi. Local sources report killings, injuries, abductions and rustling of a large number of livestock during the coordinated raids".
The latest attacks add to growing concerns over the apparent resurgence and operational tempo of Turji's network in recent days, raising fresh fears among communities already living under constant threat. The bandit leader's fighters have been linked to a series of attacks in Sokoto State in recent days, including the abduction of 68 residents from Tarah and Takatsaba communities and the killing of the Chief Imam of Talluje village. On Wednesday, July 1, suspected bandits attacked Talluje and Chofi villages, killing the chief imam and two other residents, and forcing hundreds of villagers to flee.
The frequency and scale of the attacks have raised questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security operations, as residents accuse authorities of failing to protect them from the marauding bandits. The attacks have also forced many families to abandon their homes, with thousands now displaced and taking refuge in safer communities across the state.
The Sokoto State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the latest attacks, and no casualty figures have been confirmed. However, local sources have reported multiple fatalities and injuries, as well as the abduction of several residents, including women and children. The bandits also rustled a large number of livestock, a major source of livelihood for many families in the area.
Bello Turji, one of the most wanted bandit leaders in the North-West, has been linked to numerous attacks, killings and kidnappings across Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states. Despite ongoing military operations, his network has continued to operate with impunity, exploiting the vast, ungoverned spaces of the region to launch attacks and evade capture. The latest attacks have deepened fears that the bandits are regrouping and intensifying their campaign of terror, despite government claims of progress in the fight against insecurity.
As the search for the abducted continues and communities mourn their dead, the question on everyone's lips is: how much more must the people of Sabon Birni endure before the government takes decisive action to end this cycle of violence?
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