Sokoto State was rocked by fresh violence as notorious bandit leader Bello Turji reportedly hosted an elaborate Eid celebration before orchestrating a deadly attack that claimed 12 lives and left one person injured.
The gathering reportedly drew bandits from neighboring Zamfara State, underscoring the expanding network of criminal elements operating in the region.
Security analyst Bakatsine disclosed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, detailing how Turji and his gang first gathered in Magira, a community in Isa Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State, to mark the Muslim festival.
Following the celebration, Turji and his men moved to Fadamar Lugu, also in Isa LGA, where they unleashed terror on residents in what has been described as a brutal and unprovoked attack.
“Bandit leader Bello Turji hosted an Eid celebration in Magira, Isa LGA, with bandits from Zamfara State. After the feast, he moved to Fadamar Lugu in Isa LGA, Sokoto State, killing 12 people & injuring one person just for fun,” Bakatsine wrote in his post.
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Bello Turji remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted criminals, with his name linked to a long list of killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks across Sokoto and Zamfara States.
Authorities have intensified efforts to apprehend him, but his ability to move and operate with impunity continues to raise concerns about the security situation in the region.
The latest attack adds to the growing crisis of banditry plaguing Nigeria’s northwestern states, where entire communities have been displaced due to incessant attacks.
Residents continue to call for urgent intervention by security forces to curb the menace and restore peace to the affected areas.