Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a significant development that has reignited hopes of lasting peace, the Tarah community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State received two Mobile Police (MOPOL) vehicles yesterday, marking a crucial step in the fight against the reign of terror orchestrated by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his loyalists. The deployment comes after months of relentless attacks that have left residents living in constant fear, with many forced to abandon their homes and farmlands. The officers, who arrived with the vehicles on Sunday, 5 July 2026, are expected to conduct regular patrols both within and around the community to help protect residents and deter further attacks. For the people of Tarah, who have endured repeated abductions, killings, and the destruction of their livelihoods, the arrival of the security reinforcement was met with prayers of gratitude and cautious optimism.
The deployment follows a particularly brutal attack on Tarah and the neighbouring Takatsaba village on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, when suspected bandits, believed to be loyal to Bello Turji, stormed the communities in a coordinated assault that lasted for hours. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the attackers invaded both villages late at night, firing indiscriminately before moving from house to house in search of victims. In Takatsaba, the bandits killed the 10-year-old son of Abdullahi Ado and abducted 32 people from seven households. Among those taken were nine members of Mamman Dogo's family, five from Abdullahi Ado's household, the wife of the village's Chief Imam, two orphaned children, eight members of Mallam Abubakar's household, and five people from Amadu Siro's family. The resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers remained in the village for about an hour and that many villagers were still unaccounted for, as many fled into the surrounding bushes during the attack.
In neighbouring Tarah village, the bandits arrived at about 11:30 p.m. and remained in the community for about 50 minutes. The attackers shot and injured three residents, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. According to a resident, the bandits abducted 20 people but later released nine after reaching a river crossing where they were unable to move with all the captives. The resident lamented that most of the 11 victims still being held are married women and accused the authorities of neglecting the affected communities, claiming they had received little or no support despite repeated attacks. He also alleged that, shortly before the last Ramadan, security authorities confiscated four locally procured firearms that villagers had acquired to defend themselves. The attacks in Tarah and Takatsaba are part of a broader pattern of violence linked to Bello Turji, one of the most wanted bandit leaders in the North-West, who has been linked to numerous attacks, killings and kidnappings across Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states.
The deployment of the two MOPOL vehicles represents a direct response to the community's desperate pleas for security. A resident of Tarah, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust that the attackers shot and injured three residents, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. The resident also lamented the lack of security reinforcement, alleging that the bandits had adopted the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to hinder any response from security operatives. Expressing frustration over the recurring attacks, a resident of Takatsaba said residents were not asking for amenities but for adequate security. "We are not asking for electricity, water or any other project. What we need is security so that we can return to our farms and produce food. That is our only request," he said. The arrival of the MOPOL vehicles, therefore, is seen as a tangible step towards addressing that singular, urgent need.
The deployment also comes amid broader security efforts by the Sokoto State Government to confront the banditry crisis. Governor Ahmed Aliyu's administration has prioritised security through sustained logistical and financial support to security agencies, including the provision of operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication equipment, fuel supplies and other resources to enhance their effectiveness. The government has also invested heavily in intelligence gathering, security operations, and community-based security initiatives aimed at tackling banditry and related crimes. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col Ahmed Usman (retd), has said the government is closely monitoring developments and working with security agencies to ensure that criminal elements do not destabilise the state. He noted that the sustained operations being carried out by security agencies have continued to put bandits under pressure and limit their ability to operate freely.
The deployment of MOPOL vehicles to Tarah is also a testament to the resilience of the community, which has refused to be broken by the terror of Bello Turji's gang. Despite the attacks, residents have remained on their ancestral land, determined to preserve their way of life. The arrival of the security reinforcement has been met with prayers of gratitude and cautious optimism, with locals hopeful that the deployment will mark the beginning of improved security and a return to lasting peace. For the people of Tarah, the two MOPOL vehicles represent more than just a security measure; they symbolise a promise that they have not been forgotten by the government and that the cycle of violence that has claimed too many lives and disrupted too many livelihoods across Sabon Birni may finally be coming to an end. As one resident simply put it, "Alhamdulillah" — praise be to God.
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