By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The fragile peace enjoyed lately by villagers of Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas of Sokoto East Senatorial District seems to be under severe threat as the feared bandit leader, Bello Turji has resurfaced with a threat to annihilate those that are not loyal to his authority.
The threat which was delivered to Tidibale village in Isa local government has sparked fears this causing panic massive exodus from not only Tidibale but neighbouring villages.
A local from Tidibale who spoke on condition of aninomity said, “the entire village is in awe of what might become their fate, hence the resolution to abandon all that matters to them, and run for their lives.
“As I speak to you now, majority of us left without harvesting our crops. Some moved to Isa town, others to neighbouring villages of Shinkafi local government, Zamfara state just for safety”.
Lamenting their plight, Alhaji Shehu said, said considering how deadly Turji and his angels of death could be, they have no option than to relocate hence they cannot meet up with his numerous demands.
Continuing, Shehu said, the painful side of the panic displacement is that they now have to live as internally displaced persons with relatives, or makeshift tents in open fields under this severe harsh weather.
“Now, we have to depend on handouts from relatives or even beg to feed with our families. And sometimes, we go hungry when no alms was gotten”.
Disclosing the content of Bello Turji’s demand, Shehu said, part of the request was to pay levy, vow not to report his whereabout, activities, and cooperate with his foot soldiers on any other matter of particular concern.
Responding to inquiry about the incident, Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP, Ahmed Rufai said they are yet to have formal notification of the alleged threat.
He however added that, in seeing the stories making the rounds on social media platforms, they contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of that axis to verify and get back to them.
Although, Rufai disclosed that few days ago, bandits stormed Bargaja village of same Isa local government area, killed 2 persons and whisked away with yet to specified number of persons.
The Police image maker while assuring that all measures are in place to aprehend the bandits, however pleaded with locals to give credible information about possible threats, levy impositions and all other sanctions by bandits to security agencies to enable them act proactively.
Efforts to also reach the Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Senator Ibrahim Lamido in the development proved unsuccessful as he wasn’t picking up his call at the time of filing this report.