Isa, Sokoto State — Terror returned to Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Thursday night as heavily armed bandits loyal to notorious warlord Bello Turji launched a deadly raid, killing several residents and abducting at least ten young women.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles around 10 p.m., firing sporadically and setting parts of the village ablaze. The invasion, described as “swift and brutal,” left one person critically injured, while many others fled into nearby bushes for safety.
“The bandits came in large numbers, shooting in every direction,” said a resident who narrowly escaped the assault. “They took away our young women and left us in fear and sorrow.”
This latest attack adds to a long string of violent raids attributed to Turji’s faction, which has continued to terrorize border communities across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states. Despite military operations in the region, the gang’s networks remain active, exploiting the vast forests and porous borders for cover.
Local sources report that the abducted women were taken toward the eastern fringes of the Isa forest — a known hideout for bandits. Security operatives have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties, but community leaders described the situation as “tragic and deeply alarming.”
Residents are now calling on both the Sokoto State Government and federal security agencies to step up surveillance and rescue efforts, warning that continued inaction could embolden the criminals further.
“The people of Isa are living in constant fear,” said a community elder. “We need urgent government intervention — more patrols, more presence, and a firm response to end these killings.”
As of press time, there has been no official statement from security authorities on the incident.
The Bargaja attack once again highlights the persistent threat of banditry ravaging northwest Nigeria — a crisis that has displaced thousands and left entire communities traumatized.
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