Reports suggest that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has established a new operational hub in the Indaduwa Forest of Sokoto State.
The forest lies about three kilometres northwest of the village of Bula, near the borders of Gundumi, Galadi, Maradun, and Raba.
Counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development on his X account, revealing that Turji’s gang has been active in the surrounding areas for the past three weeks.
The group is reportedly linked to a series of violent incidents, including a December 21 ambush on security forces along the Gundumi-Isa Road and the blockade of the Isa-Marnona road.
Makama also stated that over 40 individuals are currently being held hostage by Turji’s group in the forest.
Survivors released from captivity have corroborated reports of criminal activities, such as ambushes and kidnappings, allegedly facilitated by informants in nearby villages like Marnona and Gidan Rana.
According to Makama, this new base serves both strategic and personal purposes for Turji.
The bandit leader is reportedly using it as a staging ground for attacks against rival groups, particularly the Maniya faction, with whom he has a long-standing feud inherited from his father.
This rivalry, rooted in years of violent clashes, has made the Dutsin Gwauro area, controlled by the Maniya group, a key target for Turji’s operations.
Makama highlighted that Turji’s new stronghold has become a hub for coordinating ransom negotiations and executing attacks, further destabilizing the region.
He warned that the growing influence of Turji’s gang in Sokoto poses a significant threat to residents and travellers in the area.
