Despite Peace Talks, Turji’s Fighters Abduct 16, Kill One, Injure Three in Sokoto Attack

Armed bandits loyal to notorious warlord Bello Turji have abducted 16 residents, killed one person, and rustled livestock in a violent assault on Garki village, Sokoto State.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, was carried out by fighters led by Kallamu, a senior lieutenant in Turji’s criminal network. Witnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and fired sporadically to instill fear in the community before seizing their captives.

“They took away 16 people, killed one man, and rustled numerous livestock. They also shot three others, who are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Sokoto,” a local resident told Zagazola Makama.

The incident comes despite ongoing claims of peace talks between Turji’s camp and government representatives. Security sources say the attack further highlights the group’s untrustworthiness and its continued capacity for violence.

“Bello Turji has consistently used so-called peace negotiations as an opportunity to regroup, rearm, and expand his influence. He cannot be trusted because, during every round of dialogue, his men continue to attack, abduct, and kill,” one security official said.

Intelligence reports indicate that Turji’s fighters remain highly active in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo local government areas, with many involved in cross-border trafficking between Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Residents say the latest incident has deepened fears in the community, with many calling on security agencies to intensify military operations against Turji’s network to halt the ongoing cycle of attacks.