Terror has returned to Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where fear-stricken residents are abandoning their homes following threats from Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader who remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted.
Over the past three days, people from Bafarawa, Arume, Gebe, and Kamarawa have fled in droves. Locals say Turji warned residents of Kamara, Arume, and Kagara to vacate by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, or face deadly consequences.
“This is no empty threat. We know what Turji is capable of. We left with only the clothes on our backs,” said Malam Shehu, a displaced elder from Bafarawa who is now sheltering in a nearby village.
Turji’s threats carry weight and his name is synonymous with bloodshed across northwest Nigeria as each warning he issues is followed by destruction.
The looming sense of violence has rattled at least three districts in Isa, driving out farmers, traders, and entire families.
“This is beyond just another attack. These threats are calculated, organized, and carried out with impunity. If the government continues to look away, more communities will fall under siege,” said Musa Abdullahi, a displaced resident from Kagara.
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Frustration is mounting as many accuse the government of inaction. The belief that Turji enjoys protection from powerful interests has deepened local despair.
“There’s no way a man this dangerous should be moving freely. The silence of the authorities is deafening,” said Amina Yusuf, a Sokoto-based civil society advocate.
The fear now extends beyond the initial villages. Surudubu, Tsullawa, and Garin Fadama are reportedly tense, with schools shut down, markets abandoned, and daily life grinding to a halt.
Even with promises of new security deployments, many remain unconvinced.
“What we need is not just presence but action. People are dying, and homes are being burnt. What more will it take for the authorities to act decisively?” asked Hajiya Rabi, a mother of five who escaped from Arume.
Civil society groups, religious leaders, and human rights advocates are now calling for urgent government intervention. They warn that without swift action, the region risks slipping into an even deeper humanitarian crisis.