Terrorist believed to be group of the notorious , Bello Turji have killed no fewer than 2 people and forced many residents into panic fleeing from Bargaja town of Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State, locals confirmed.
The incident which happened within the weekends have left many wondering if the Sokoto Eastern Senatorial axis would ever return to it’s old glory of being a pride of serenity.
Confirming the incident, a security analyst very familiar with the terrain, Bashiru Altine Giyawa, said Bargaja had been one of the few communities in the Sokoto Eastern Senatorial District that had consistently resisted attacks by fighters loyal to the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.
According to him, local vigilantes engaged the attackers in a gun duel while attempting to repel the invasion.
“The vigilante group confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two vigilantes lost their lives during the confrontation,” Altine said.
During the attack, those unfortunately killed by the bandits were identified as Umaru Biri and Garba Mumminu. Though, locals expressed satisfaction that the bandits also suffered severe deadly blow in the clash.
“Several of the terrorist were also killed but their bodies were taken away by fellow fighters into forest hideouts”, they noted.
Eyewitnesses described the situation in Bargaja, located in eastern Sokoto, as tense, noting that persistent attacks linked to Turji’s network have led to repeated killings and displacement in the area.
Resultantly, the locals have remained displaced thus leading to mass exodus of mostly women and children to areas considered much safer.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said they had seen a video circulating on social media about the incident, adding however that the police is investigating the situation to ascertain the accurate details of what transpired.
Rufai assured that security agencies were working to ensure the safety of citizens and restore calm in the affected areas.
