Bello Turji demands $15,000 from four Sokoto villages as compensation for the death of one of his men

NOTORIOUS bandit leader Bello Turji has thrown down the gauntlet to the Nigerian authorities by imposing a N22m ($15,000) levy on four villages in Sokoto State demanding it as compensation for the death of one of his lieutenants during a recent military operation.

In January, Turji was forced to flee for dear life after suffering from the onslaught of a sustained Nigerian military assault that led to the death of his son and the destruction of one of his forest camps. One of the most wanted men in Nigeria, Turji operates from camps in Zamfara State, from where his reign of terror allows him to exert his authority over large swathes of territory.

Of late, the Nigerian Army has made several gains in the fight against Mr Turji, after launching an attack on his camp in Fakai, in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State under the codename Operation Fansan Yanma. However, Mr Turji is now demanding compensation for the attacks, pointing out that the N22m the fine is also intended to cover the cost of firearms lost during the raid.

Aminu Boza, a lawmaker representing Sabon Birni West in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, said that one of the affected villages is Garin Idi, the hometown of deputy governor Idris Gobir. He further revealed that Mr Turji had shifted his base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Hon Boza added: “He is just like a businessman who has multiple shops and is going around to supervise them. He is currently in the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area, where the villagers met him for negotiations and he reduced the money from N25m to N22m.”

During a press briefing, the lawmaker criticised the military for not maintaining a sustained presence in the area, leaving villages vulnerable to attacks whenever troops withdraw. Hon Boza lamented the fact that banditry remains a significant threat in the area, highlighting a recent attack in which six members of the Sokoto Community Guards were killed, despite assurances of their safety from the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Hon Boza also revealed that Mr Turji is demanding N250,000 from the family of each of the 13 worshippers abducted in Sabon Birni Local Government Area about two weeks ago. So far, five captives have been released after their families paid the ransom.

Furthermore, the lawmaker urged the military to intensify and sustain their operations in the eastern part of Sokoto State, emphasising that consistent action is crucial to restoring peace and protecting vulnerable communities. He added: “I have always criticised the military for not sustaining their operation in the eastern part of Sokoto because anytime they withdraw, it is the villages that bear the brunt."