Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly demanded N22 million from four villages in Sokoto State as compensation following the killing of one of his men during a military operation. The levy, locals say, is also meant to cover missing firearms lost in the raid.
According to media reports, one of the affected villages is Garin Idi, the hometown of the state’s deputy governor, Idris Gobir. Aminu Boza, a lawmaker representing Sabon Birni West in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, disclosed that Turji had relocated his base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area.
“He is just like a businessman who has multiple shops and is going around to supervise them,” Boza was quoted as saying. “That was where the villagers met him for negotiation, and he reduced the money from N25 million to N22 million.”
“The security forces come, carry out operations, and then leave, allowing these criminals to regroup and impose their will on the people,” Boza lamented.
Recall that Turji, one of Nigeria’s most wanted criminals, has been linked to a series of violent attacks and kidnappings in the northwest.
Residents now fear that failing to pay the levy could trigger deadly reprisals, as Turji’s group has a history of brutal retaliation.
