Fear Grips North-West as Turji Allegedly Acquires Advanced Weapons

Fresh security concerns have emerged in Nigeria’s North-West following allegations that notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has acquired sophisticated weapons and is expanding his criminal network through alleged collaborations with extremist groups.

The leader of Rundunar Adalchi in Sokoto State, Bashir Altine Guyawa Isa, raised the alarm during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna on Monday.

Isa alleged that Turji had intensified efforts to improve his operational strength by working with members of Boko Haram to train and equip new fighters.

According to him, intelligence gathered by local security volunteers indicated that the wanted bandit leader and his associates had established a training camp near the Sokoto-Zamfara border.

He claimed the facility had been operating for some time and was being used for recruitment, indoctrination and military-style training of fighters who would later be deployed for criminal operations across the region.

The vigilante leader further alleged that Boko Haram members were providing technical training and logistical support to the recruits, a development he described as a major threat to peace and security in the North-West.

Isa warned that the reported activities could worsen insecurity in communities already affected by bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes.

He urged security agencies to take urgent action to investigate and dismantle the alleged camp before the situation escalates.

According to him, intelligence available to local security groups suggested that the criminal networks may be planning to expand their operations beyond rural settlements and target strategic locations and prominent individuals.

He stressed that failure to respond quickly could encourage the armed groups and expose more communities in Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states to further attacks.

Isa called for stronger military operations, improved intelligence gathering and coordinated interventions by security agencies and government authorities.

However, the allegations made by the vigilante leader have not been independently verified, and security authorities have not issued an official response regarding the claims.

Bello Turji has remained one of the most wanted bandit leaders operating in the North-West, with security agencies repeatedly linking his network to several attacks and criminal activities across the region.