Boubacar Sani – Nigeria
Notorious armed gang leader Bello Torge celebrated the killing of several soldiers in Sokoto state in northwestern Nigeria in a newly circulated video, raising concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Fears of escalating armed violence in northwest Nigeria
This development comes after a deadly attack using an improvised explosive device targeted a military vehicle carrying soldiers to the Bargaja area of the Issa Local Government Area in Sokoto State, where troops were responding to a distress call following an alleged attack by gunmen on the village in the early hours of the day.
Local sources reported that at least two soldiers were killed, while several others sustained varying injuries, after the improvised explosive device detonated on the Issa-Bargaja road.
In the video circulating after the incident, Turgi expressed his happiness at the killing of those he described as his enemies, claiming that his group had succeeded in repelling the forces targeting his network, and also claiming to have seized livestock from the forces.
«We thank God for showing us this day,» he said in the recording, adding that his fighters had achieved a victory over forces conducting operations in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
These claims could not be independently verified.
The release of the video came amid renewed claims that Turgi is rebuilding and strengthening his operational capabilities on the border between Sokoto and Zamfara states.
A Sokoto activist and state-level coordinator for the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance, Bacharo Altin Giwa Issa, accused Turgi in social media posts of acquiring new weapons and conducting training for his fighters in areas stretching from Pengabali Kudu through Bavarawa in the east to Bargaja.
According to the activist, intelligence information from the region indicates that the group recently received a new shipment of weapons, including advanced weapons that were used in recent clashes with security forces.
He also claimed that fighters suspected of being linked to Boko Haram had arrived in the area to provide advanced combat training to Turgi elements.
He added that a newly acquired night-vision device was among the equipment that arrived at the armed leader's camp, while two prominent gang leaders, Katchala Haru Dole and Katchala Ibrahim Shimo, are suspected of having been involved in facilitating the transfer of weapons.
Fears of systematic attacks
The activist warned that this rapprochement between Turgi and other armed groups could indicate preparations for coordinated attacks in eastern Sokoto, especially with the approach of the peak of the rainy season.
Hours after these warnings were published, another video was shared, which he said showed some of the new weapons in Turgi's possession, asserting that the recording was published by the leader to demonstrate what he described as recent successes against security forces on the Issa-Bargaja axis.
Sokoto State Police have not issued any official comment as of the time of publication, as calls or messages sent to their spokesperson have not been answered.
These developments come amid ongoing military operations against armed groups in northwest Nigeria, where security forces are seeking to contain violence, kidnapping and other crimes in the affected areas.
