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2 hours ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
New worries have surfaced about the security situation in Nigeria’s North‑West after allegations that the notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has obtained advanced weapons and is working with Boko Haram fighters to train and equip new recruits.
The claims were made by Bashir Altine Guyawa Isa, the leader of Rundunar Adalchi in Sokoto State, during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service that was monitored in Kaduna on Monday.
Isa said that intelligence gathered by local vigilante groups indicates that Turji and his associates have set up a training camp near the Sokoto‑Zamfara border, where recruits are being trained and armed for future operations.
According to him, the camp has existed for some time and serves as a base for recruiting, indoctrinating and training fighters who are then deployed to carry out attacks across communities in the North‑West.
He further claimed that members of Boko Haram are providing training and logistical support to the fighters, a development that has increased the operational capabilities of criminal groups in the region.
Isa expressed concern 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 alleged that authorities are aware of the facility and called for urgent action to dismantle it, warning that intelligence gathered by local security groups suggests the terrorists may be planning to expand their operations and target prominent individuals and critical installations.
The vigilante leader urged security agencies and government authorities to intensify military and intelligence‑driven operations to prevent further attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes across Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states.
At the time of filing this report, security agencies had not publicly responded to the allegations.
The claims made by Isa have not been independently verified.
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