Fear of renewed attacks as displaced residents return to Sokoto villages

Despite the return of many displaced residents to their communities in Tidibale area of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, some villagers have refused to go back, citing fears of renewed bandit attacks.

Daily Trust had reported that many villages in the LGA were deserted following sustained attacks by bandits, particularly groups loyal to the notorious kingpin, Bello Turji. The attacks forced residents to flee their homes and relocate to Isa town, the local government headquarters, where they took refuge at a public secondary school.

Residents attributed the mass exodus to a recent ultimatum allegedly issued by Turji, ordering communities to vacate their villages or face violent attacks. They said the threat created widespread fear, leaving many families with no option but to abandon their homes and livelihoods.

The residents further explained that repeated displacement in the Tidibale axis was worsened by the absence of sustained security presence. According to them, armed groups often regroup and return to the area once security operatives withdraw, making it unsafe for villagers to remain or return.

Findings by our correspondent on Thursday evening revealed that while several families have been repatriated to Tidibale and neighbouring villages, a number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are still remaining in their temporary shelters in Isa town.

Some villagers taking refuge in Isa town told our correspondent that more than 200 people were yet to return to their villages due to concerns over the sustainability of security arrangements in the area.

Families yet to return include those from Mansalo, Chohi, Kwannawa, Gidan Rana, Yarkurori and Jimbama communities.

They said they would only consider returning when they are fully convinced that the newly deployed security personnel will remain in the area on a permanent basis.

A resident of Chohi village said he would only go back home if security agencies were stationed around the villages on a long-term basis.

“If the security deployed there will stay and protect us, I will return to my village. But if they leave after some time, I will rather move to the Niger Republic or Lagos in search of peace and safety,” he said.

Another resident from Mansalo also said he was yet to decide on returning, explaining that uncertainty over the continued presence of security forces had left many villagers afraid.

He recalled that bandits had earlier threatened the community, warning that if certain demands were not met, the village imam would be killed and more residents abducted.

“They recently pointed a gun at our imam and imposed levies with a deadline, threatening to kill him and abduct many people if we failed to comply. We cannot return home until we are sure that security will remain to protect our lives and property,” he added.

Meanwhile, security agencies have continued patrols around Tidibale and neighbouring communities as the state government intensifies efforts to restore confidence among returning residents.

Sokoto approves military base in troubled community

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has approved the establishment of a Forward Operations Base (FOB) in Tidibale community, Isa LGA, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security and prevent bandit attacks in the area.

The approval, announced on Thursday, comes amid heightened public concern following a viral video on social media which claimed that residents of Tidibale village had been displaced by bandits.

The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, in a statement, said the military base is intended to complement existing security formations and enhance rapid response to threats in Tidibale and neighbouring communities within Isa LGA.

He explained that the individuals seen in the widely circulated video were indeed residents of Tidibale, but were not attacked or chased away by bandits.

Rather, they were temporarily relocated to the Isa local government headquarters as a precautionary measure following intelligence suggesting a possible bandit attack.

“The relocation was a preventive step taken by the local government authorities to safeguard lives after a rumour of an impending attack created fear and tension in the community,” the statement said.

Bawa disclosed that the councillor representing the ward, Dayyabu Sani, had promptly alerted the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area, Alhaji Sherifu Kamarawa, who then directed that the villagers be conveyed to the council headquarters until the situation was assessed.

He added that the residents have since returned safely to their ancestral homes, while security agencies have intensified patrols in the area to forestall any breach of peace.

The state government said the establishment of the FOB in Tidibale is part of a broader strategy to stabilise security-challenged areas and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Bawa reiterated that the government would continue to work closely with the military, other security agencies, the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, and vigilante groups to secure rural communities across the state.

He also cautioned against the politicisation of security issues and urged citizens to avoid spreading unverified information, especially on sensitive security matters, noting that rumours often fuel fear and undermine peace efforts.

The government further called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information, including exposing informants aiding criminal elements within communities.

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