Banditry in Sokoto: Turji’s New Forest Base Sparks Security Concerns
Sources have revealed that a group operating from the Indaduwa Forest in Sokoto State has been behind a series of ambushes, kidnappings, and other criminal activities targeting both travelers and local residents.
According to reports, informants in Illela and Marnona have allegedly facilitated the gang’s activities by aiding ransom negotiations and providing critical intelligence.
Security analyst Makama disclosed that the establishment of the new Indaduwa Forest base is tied to two key factors: a rivalry with another bandit group and unresolved family feuds.
The gang leader, Turji, is said to have a longstanding rivalry with the Maniya group, rooted in a feud passed down from his father, Rugga Chida. This animosity escalated into a violent clash years ago, culminating in the death of Kachalla Dullun, a prominent figure in the Maniya group.
Turji reportedly views the Indaduwa Forest base as a strategic location to weaken the Maniya group’s influence in the Dutsin Gwauro area, their primary stronghold.
Authorities have expressed concern over the potential escalation of violence stemming from the group’s activities and have urged local communities to collaborate with security forces to combat these threats.
Efforts to dismantle the base and neutralize the group’s operations are reportedly underway, as the government intensifies its crackdown on banditry in the region.
