More than 20 villages in Sokoto State have been abandoned following a renewed wave of violent attacks believed to be carried out by loyalists of notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.
AFRIPOST reports that the intensifying violence has triggered a mass exodus, with hundreds of residents fleeing to Gatawa, a community in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, in search of safety.
The sudden influx of displaced persons has overwhelmed Gatawa, causing overcrowding and placing strain on local resources. Many of the fleeing villagers are now being housed in two secondary schools—one near a military base and another within the town—while others are staying with relatives.
A local resident, Mallam Saminu, confirmed the situation in a phone interview, saying, “It’s true that many surrounding villages have been attacked. People are coming into Gatawa seeking refuge. Some are lucky to stay with family, but the rest are in school buildings converted to temporary shelters.”
Villages affected by the attacks include Makira, Dan Tazako I, II, and III, Garin Tunkiya, Katsalle, Dama, Shabanza, and Gaugai, among others.
This latest crisis underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing eastern Sokoto, despite ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling armed groups and restoring order in the region.
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