Bello Turji Imposes ₦25m Levy On Sokoto Villages – Lawmaker Alleges

Lawmaker Aminu Boza of Sokoto State has expressed concern over the actions of infamous bandit Bello Turji, claiming that he has levied a ₦25 million tax on villages in the Sabon Birni and Isa regions.
Boza, who is the state House of Assembly representative for Sabon Birni Local Government, said this over the phone with The Punch on Friday and cautioned that Turji’s power in the area is only going to increase.
“Bello Turji is presently in Sokoto’s Isa and Sabon Birni axis. “In certain communities, he has even imposed a levy of ₦25 million per village,” Boza said.

In order to stop the criminals’ operations and bring peace back to the impacted communities, he urged security services to act immediately.

Sokoto Arrests Major Arms Trafficker
A further development is the effective capture of a suspected arms dealer by local security personnel who are suspected of providing firearms to terrorist organizations in Sokoto.

Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, texted reporters Friday morning to confirm the arrest.

Hamza Samaila Surudubu, a 35-year-old alleged ammunition courier, has been taken into custody by the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps (SSCGC), Isa Division, according to his statement.

Today, February 20, 2025, the culprit was taken into custody on Shinkafi Road. The SSCGC Isa Division and Civilian JTF apprehended the suspect.

Hamza Samaila was on his way to transfer weapons and ammunition to Turji, Boka, and Halilu Buzu, according to preliminary inquiry findings.

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“Security agencies were tasked with looking into this further.”

Residents have been reassured by authorities that continued security measures will be stepped up to stop criminal activity in the area.