Fresh Security Concern As Bello Turji’s Fighters Undergoing Weapons And Military Training In Sokoto
Fresh security concerns have emerged in parts of eastern Sokoto State following intelligence reports alleging that fighters loyal to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji are undergoing weapons and military training in communities along the Sokoto-Zamfara border corridor.
According to the intelligence report, the alleged training activities are taking place in communities stretching from Bingabale Kudu through Bafarawa East to Bargaja, where armed fighters are said to be participating in military-style drills using newly acquired weapons.
The report was released by the Sokoto State Coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, Basharu Altine, who claimed that some of Turji’s close associates are supervising the exercises.
Bello Turji
Altine alleged that individuals identified as Illa Manawa and Dodo, believed to be Turji’s younger brother, are among those coordinating the training and strengthening the operational capacity of the fighters in the area.
According to him, intelligence available to the organisation indicates that the fighters are receiving instruction on the use of sophisticated weapons recently introduced into the region, including some of the arms reportedly deployed during recent clashes with security forces.
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He further claimed that preliminary intelligence points to the arrival of a fresh consignment of weapons and the presence of newly recruited fighters believed to have links with insurgent groups operating in other parts of the country.
Altine also alleged that some of the new arrivals possess advanced combat and weapons-handling expertise and were brought in to train and reinforce Turji’s network operating within border communities of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The security advocate disclosed that intelligence gathered from Binchi suggested that night-vision devices allegedly acquired by Turji recently formed part of the equipment delivered to camps controlled by the terrorist group. He also linked two suspected commanders, Haru Dole and Ibrahim Chimo, to the alleged procurement and movement of the weapons.
Altine warned that the reported collaboration and influx of fighters could pose a serious threat to communities in eastern Sokoto, claiming that intelligence sources fear the group may be planning to expand its influence and launch coordinated attacks before the peak of the rainy season.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement on the allegations, which could not be independently verified.
