Security
Wanted Turji Imposes N22m Levy On Sokoto Deputy Gov’s Village
A notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has imposed a levy of N22 million on four villages in Sokoto State as compensation for the death of one of his men during a military operation, according to local sources.
The affected villages include Garin Idi, the hometown of the state’s deputy governor, Engineer Idris Gobir, as confirmed by the member representing Sabon Birni West Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza.
Turji, who has reportedly shifted his base to the eastern part of Isa Local Government Area, also demanded the payment to cover firearms lost during the military operation.
Negotiation with Bandits
According to Hon. Boza, villagers had to negotiate with Turji, who initially demanded N25 million but later reduced it to N22 million.
“He is just like a businessman who has multiple shops and goes around to supervise them. He is currently in the eastern part of Isa. That was where the villagers met him for negotiation,” Boza said.
The lawmaker criticised the military’s approach, stating that their failure to sustain operations in eastern Sokoto had left villagers vulnerable to reprisals from bandits.
“I have always criticised the military for withdrawing after their operations. Each time they leave, it is the villagers who suffer the consequences. The bandits always vent their anger on them,” he said.
Ongoing Security Concerns
Despite multiple visits by the Minister of Defence and assurances that banditry would soon be eradicated, attacks continue in the region.
“Just a few days ago, bandits killed six operatives of the Sokoto Community Guards. I am appealing to the military to intensify and sustain their operations in eastern Sokoto. This is the only way to restore total peace in the area,” Boza added.
In a separate incident, Turji has also demanded a N250,000 ransom from each family of 13 worshippers abducted two weeks ago in Sabon Birni Local Government Area. So far, five captives have been released after their families paid the ransom.
President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to security agencies to fish out those behind the killing of some travellers in Edo State.
The victims, who were said to be travelling from Port Harcourt to the northern part of Nigeria, were allegedly killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.
While reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described it as dastardly.
“The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Friday.
The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country.
Tinubu condoled with the families of the affected people and assured them “that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain”.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited the community, condemning the killing of the travellers.
The governor described the incident as barbaric, according to a statement from his spokesman Fred Itua, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the killing.
“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book. He also charged the community to work with the security agencies to fish out the culprits,” Itua said in a statement on Friday
“Governor Okpebholo also commended community leaders, especially the leadership of Arewa community in the area, for deescalating tensions and handling the situation with restrain.”
The governor promised justice for the victims and maintained that there is “no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies”.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State for alleged N70 billion fraud.
He was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.
They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and missapropriation to the tune of N70 billion.
The Commission is investigating the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, regarding the matter.
The EFCC said investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59billion had been made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government.
The money was allegedly moved to Abubakar and Sambo, who in turn made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor.
The BDC operator, Abubakar, earlier jumped bail and has now been rearrested.
The Akwa Ibom police Command has arrested one Victor Okon, 42, for the alleged gruesome murder of his wife, Victoria Okoh, 38, at their residence in Oron.
The police public relations officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday.
Ms John said the command’s operatives swiftly responded to a distress call from concerned residents at 05:20 p.m. about the incident.
“On arrival at the scene, the officers discovered the mutilated body of the deceased lying outside the house she shared with her husband,” Mr John said.
She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly attacked his wife with a machete over accusations of infidelity.
Ms John said further reports indicated that the suspect hid in the ceiling of the house in an attempt to evade arrest.
The PPRO said the officers went into the building and apprehended the man.
“The machete used in committing the crime was recovered by the police, and photographs of the scene were taken for investigation purposes,” she said.
Mr John said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the state’s General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
She said the suspect would be charged to court soon.
Ms John quoted the commissioner of police, CP Baba Azare, to have condemned the act and assured the public that justice would take its full course.
Mr Azare warned against all forms of domestic violence and called on residents to seek lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence.
He pledged the commitment of the command toward ensuring the safety of citizens.
Mr Azare also urged the members of the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.