Fear has once again gripped Tidibale, a small agrarian community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a chilling warning issued by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, who had been relatively silent for months.
The bandit’s renewed threat has sent shockwaves through the region, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and farmlands in search of safety.
Local sources who spoke with Vanguard revealed that Bello Turji, who has long been associated with banditry in the Northwest, is attempting to reassert his dominance and influence.
His warning of “dire consequences” for Tidibale and neighboring settlements that have failed to align with him has caused widespread panic. Many have fled to Isa Town, Gidan Hamisu, and nearby Shinkafi in Zamfara State, fearing a resurgence of violence.
“Life is more important than crops,” said a displaced resident, highlighting the extreme measures they have been forced to take. Farmers who should be preparing for the upcoming planting season now find themselves living in overcrowded homes or makeshift shelters, unsure of when or if they can return to their lands.
In stark contrast, several communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, including Shinkafi town, Katuru, Jangeru, and Kanwa, have reportedly entered into a truce with Turji. Villagers in these areas have pledged not to confront or report his activities, a move that locals describe as a necessary survival strategy rather than consent.
Altine Guyawa, a public commentator on banditry and kidnapping in Sokoto East, explained that the geography of fear in the region has shifted. According to Guyawa, Turji’s activities are now concentrated in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Wurno, and Rabah local government areas, where no truce has been established with the warlord.
He noted that these threats often follow periods of silence, signaling bandit leaders’ need for relevance and control over communities.
“These kinds of threats are not just about retribution, but a reminder that the bandit leader still commands power,” Guyawa said, adding that these situations often result in communities paying the highest price.
In addition to his violent threats, sources claim that Turji’s men have continued their pattern of kidnapping locals and transporting victims to forest camps around Shinkafi, where ransoms are negotiated before the victims are released. The repeated nature of this criminal behaviour across state borders has become increasingly familiar, deepening the sense of insecurity for many in the region.
The unfolding situation in Tidibale underscores the persistent and complex security challenges faced by the Northwest region.