Sokoto State in Northwest Nigeria is notorious for kidnapping and banditry activities
Fresh violence linked to fighters loyal to Bello Turji has left at least two people dead and forced residents of Bargaja town in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State to flee their homes.
Locals who spoke on the incident said the attack, which occurred over the weekend, triggered panic across the community, with many families—especially women and children—seeking refuge in safer areas.
The latest assault has deepened fears among residents of Sokoto East Senatorial District, a region once regarded for its relative calm but now increasingly plagued by recurring attacks.
A security analyst familiar with the area, Bashiru Altine Giyawa, confirmed that Bargaja had long stood as one of the few communities resisting incursions by armed groups linked to Turji.
According to him, local vigilantes confronted the attackers in a bid to defend the town.
“The vigilante group confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two vigilantes lost their lives during the confrontation,” Altine said.
The victims were identified by residents as Umaru Biri and Garba Mumminu. Despite the losses, locals claimed the attackers also suffered casualties during the clash.
“Several of the terrorist were also killed but their bodies were taken away by fellow fighters into forest hideouts,” residents noted.
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath as tense, with repeated attacks attributed to Turji’s network continuing to cause deaths and displacement across communities in eastern Sokoto.
The latest violence has worsened the humanitarian situation, as many residents remain displaced following a growing wave of insecurity.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said authorities were aware of a viral video circulating online about the incident.
He noted that investigations were ongoing to establish the full details of the attack.
Rufai assured residents that security agencies were taking steps to restore order and ensure the safety of lives and property in the affected communities.
