A fresh video of a man believed to be notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has surfaced online, showing him claiming responsibility for the killing of security personnel in a recent attack in Sokoto State.
NPO reports that an improvised explosive device (IED) killed at least two soldiers and injured several others along the Isa-Bargaja road in Isa Local Government Area of the state.
In the video, he was heard expressing satisfaction over the incident, claiming that his group had recorded a victory against security forces operating in the area.
He alleged that his fighters killed some personnel and recovered livestock he claimed had been taken from local communities.
An activist, Basharu Altine Guyawa Isa, had alleged that Turji’s fighters were conducting weapons training and tactical exercises while using newly acquired arms.
He claimed the group had obtained sophisticated weapons, including equipment allegedly used during recent confrontations with security forces.
Hours after making the allegations, Basharu shared another video which he claimed showed some of the weapons in Turji’s possession.
The footage also featured some of the bandit leader’s commanders, identified as Sani-Dona, Dankane, Yellow, and Abdullah with anti-aircraft gun visible in the clip.
The authenticity of the video, the identities of those shown, and the claims surrounding the weapons could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Additionally, neither the Defence Headquarters nor the police commands in Sokoto and Zamfara states have issued a responses to the claims made in the video as at press time.