Fresh concerns have emerged over the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-West following allegations that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has acquired sophisticated weapons and is collaborating with Boko Haram fighters to train and arm new recruits.
The claims were made by the leader of Rundunar Adalchi in Sokoto State, Bashir Altine Guyawa Isa, during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna on Monday.
According to Isa, intelligence gathered by local vigilante groups suggests that Turji and his associates have established a training camp near the Sokoto-Zamfara border, where recruits are allegedly being trained and equipped for future operations.
He claimed that the camp has existed for some time and serves as a centre for recruitment, indoctrination and military-style training of fighters who are later deployed to carry out attacks across communities in the North-West region.
Isa further alleged that members of Boko Haram are providing training and logistical support to the camp, a development he believes has significantly strengthened the operational capacity of armed groups operating in the area.
The vigilante leader warned that the continued existence of the alleged camp poses a serious threat to public safety and could undermine ongoing efforts by security agencies to restore peace in affected communities.
He also claimed that security authorities are aware of the camp’s existence and urged them to take immediate action to dismantle the facility before the situation escalates further.
According to him, intelligence available to local security groups indicates that the armed groups may be planning to expand their operations and target prominent individuals, communities and critical infrastructure across the region.
Isa called on the military, intelligence agencies and other security authorities to intensify operations aimed at disrupting the activities of bandits and terrorist groups operating in Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states.
He stressed that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further attacks, kidnappings and loss of lives in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued any official response to the allegations.
The claims made by the vigilante leader have also not been independently verified.
