Nigerian lawmaker Aminu Boza has confirmed that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has resurfaced in Sokoto State and is reportedly imposing a hefty ₦25 million levy on villages in the eastern part of the state.
Boza, who represents Sabon Birni Local Government in the state House of Assembly, told reporters on Friday that Turji had set up camp in a forest in the Isa Local Government Area.
“Bello Turji is currently in the Isa and Sabon Birni axis of Sokoto. He has even imposed a ₦25 million levy per village in some communities,” Boza said, adding that Turji had been collecting taxes from the local population.
This development follows months of Turji remaining out of sight, despite intensified military operations targeting his network. His re-emergence has raised renewed fears among residents who have long suffered from the activities of armed bandits in Sokoto and neighbouring areas.
In a related development, security forces in the region achieved a significant breakthrough with the arrest of Hamza Surudubu, a suspected arms trafficker.
The 35-year-old was allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups operating in the region.
Col. Ahmed Usman, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, confirmed the arrest, stating that Surudubu was apprehended along Shinkafi Road by the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and the Civilian Joint Task Force.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he was en route to deliver arms to Turji and other bandit leaders.
The case has since been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation.
