By Opeyemi Adelakun
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has resurfaced in a new video in which he allegedly celebrated an attack on security operatives and claimed responsibility for the deaths of some soldiers in Sokoto State.
The video emerged days after an improvised explosive device (IED) reportedly struck a military vehicle conveying troops to Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area, leaving at least two soldiers dead and several others injured.
The troops were said to have been responding to a distress call following a midnight raid on the community by armed men.
Residents claimed the attackers invaded the village for several hours, forcing locals to flee and seek help from security agencies. Some sources further alleged that explosives had been planted along the route before the arrival of military personnel.
In the video circulating online, Turji expressed satisfaction over what he described as a successful operation against his opponents.
“We thank Allah for allowing us to witness this Saturday, June 20,” he said.
He further claimed that his group had secured victory over individuals he accused of attacking his followers and seizing their livestock.
“Allah granted us victory over these people carrying out operations against us and taking away our livestock. We have succeeded in killing some of them, and we have successfully recovered our livestock from their hands,” he stated.
The claims contained in the video could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, fresh concerns have emerged over reports that the bandit leader may be strengthening his operational capacity through the acquisition of additional weapons and the recruitment of more fighters.
The allegations were raised by Basharu Altine Guyawa Isa, Sokoto State Coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, who claimed intelligence reports indicated unusual movements within communities located along the Sokoto-Zamfara border.
According to him, armed loyalists linked to Turji had recently gathered in several settlements where they allegedly engaged in combat drills and weapons training.
Basharu also alleged that some of the weapons recently delivered to the group were used during recent confrontations with security forces operating in the area.
He further claimed that intelligence sources pointed to the involvement of suspected Boko Haram-linked fighters who allegedly arrived to provide specialised training and tactical support.
The activist also raised concerns over reports that Turji had acquired sophisticated equipment, including a night-vision device, as part of efforts to enhance his operations.
According to him, emerging intelligence suggested a growing alliance among key bandit commanders operating across parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states, a development he warned could pose fresh security threats to vulnerable communities.
He alleged that the collaboration may be aimed at expanding influence across parts of eastern Sokoto State and could precede coordinated attacks on local government headquarters in the region.
Basharu later shared another video which he claimed showed some of the weapons recently acquired by the group, although the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from security authorities were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command were not returned as of press time.
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