‘We’re tired’ – Bargaja residents cry, as Bello Turji orders them to flee

2026-03-21 - 07:24

By Musa Ubandawaki & Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo Four years after the military declared him wanted alongside 18 other terrorists and put a N5m bounty on his head, notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji who never relented in his murderous activities, last Sunday literally sacked the Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto state. 32-year-old terror kingpin who was born and raised in the pastoral Fulani settlements of the Shinkaffi community in Zamfara, terrorised the North Western part of Nigeria, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states for two decades. Read Also: IDPs to FG: If you can’t take us home, say it; stop pretending Last Monday, a very disturbing short video clip circulated online showing hundreds of desperate women and children of the Bargaja community, struggling to board a truck with their belongings. They were fleeing their homes following persistent attacks from terrorists linked to notorious Bello Turji who had warned them to leave the town or they would all be killed. In the chaotic situation of the fleeing residents falling on each other trying to board the vehicle to escape the wrath of Bello Turji, a male voice could be heard speaking in Hausa language in the video saying, “the terrorists kept attacking us and killing us, we are tired and we are leaving the town. Even today (Sunday, March 15) we were attacked and some of us were killed but the government is doing nothing. Since the terrorists have asked us to leave the town, we are leaving already, may God intervene”. However, the Garrison commander 8 Division of the Nigerian Army told our correspondent that the army authorities were able to convince the residents to remain in the town with a promise to protect them and they accepted. Local sources said the attackers stormed the community at about 1:30 a.m on Sunday, triggering panic as villagers fled to safer locations, including Sokoto metropolis and nearby communities. A security analyst, Bashiru Altine Giyawa, who confirmed the attack, said Bargaja had been one of the few communities in the area that consistently resisted attacks by armed men loyal to Bello Turji. He said local vigilantes engaged the attackers in a gun duel while attempting to repel the invasion. According to him, “the vigilante group confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two vigilantes lost their lives during the confrontation,” Giyawa said. The vigilante men who were said to have died from gunshot wounds sustained during the attack were identified as Umaru Biri and Garba Mumminu. Eyewitnesses described the situation in Bargaja as tense, saying that persistent attacks linked to Turji’s camp have led to repeated killings and displacement in the area. For decades, Bargaja, was a thriving agrarian community in the North Western part of the country, known for cultivation of sweet potatoes, soya beans, and its flourishing livestock economy. Its produce sustained local markets and contributed to food supply chains beyond the state. Nearly a decade of violent incursions by armed groups linked to the notorious Bello Turji has reduced Bargaja to a fragile community struggling to survive under constant threat. Residents described a grim reality where gunfire had become routine and nights were often spent in fear. “What used to be distant stories have now become our everyday life,” a local farmer lamented. “We cannot sleep peacefully anymore.” Neighbouring communities, including Tidibale and Katanga, have similarly come under repeated assaults, creating an expanding arc of insecurity across eastern Isa Local Government Area. Despite the presence of security formations in Isa town, residents lamented that the attacks persisted, often without warning, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing security measures. Kidnapping for ransom became rampant with families forced to liquidate assets to secure the freedom of abducted relatives. At the same time, livestock rustling had escalated dramatically, stripping households of their primary means of livelihood and plunging many into economic despair. For a community built on farming and animal husbandry, the impact of terrorist activities was devastating. Farmlands that once bustled with activity now lie deserted, as farmers have abandoned cultivation for fear of being attacked. Women and children have borne the brunt of the crisis, with many displaced into uncertain living conditions and facing dwindling access to education and healthcare. Community leaders warned that the situation was fast evolving into a humanitarian emergency, with long term social and economic consequences. Efforts by security forces and local vigilante groups have recorded limited gains, often constrained by difficult terrain and the mobility of armed groups. Yet, amid the hardship, residents continued to show resilience, clinging to hope for a return to normalcy. CNG calls for urgent military action in Northern Nigeria Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned the worsening security situation across Northern Nigeria, describing the recent mass displacement of residents of Bargaja as a troubling sign of a failing security system. The National President of the coalition, Jamilu Aliyu Charanci, expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on communities, which he said have forced millions of innocent residents to flee their homes in several parts of the region. He said, “the recent displacement of residents in Bargaja is a painful reminder of a security system under severe strain. Communities are increasingly being forced out of their homes while terrorists operate with alarming impunity. “The persistent attacks and displacement of communities indicate a dangerous weakening of state authority and an erosion of public confidence in the nation’s security institutions. Many communities now feel defenceless and vulnerable to the activities of armed groups. Nigerians deserve a safer environment and the authorities must act swiftly and decisively to address the crisis. The government must respond with urgency or be held accountable”. Gap exists between policy decisions and security presence in communities — Arewa Defence League Also reacting to the development, President of the Arewa Defence League, Murtala Abubakar, described the situation as troubling, noting that the latest incident reflects the growing disconnect between government assurances and realities on the ground. According to him, “the displacement in Bargaja adds to the already significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country, with millions affected by insecurity and forced to seek shelter in camps or with relatives”. He questioned the effectiveness of current security strategies, especially in vulnerable rural communities, stressing that the primary responsibility of the government remains the protection of lives and property. According to him, “the situation in Bargaja shows that there is still a gap between policy decisions and actual security presence in local communities. And for residents of affected areas, safety is measured not by official statements but by their ability to live and work without fear”.