The resurgence of terror attacks in some parts of the North has raised concerns among stakeholders as many displaced residents decry the attitude of both state and federal governments to their plight.
Boko Haram, bandits and armed herders were said to have sacked no fewer than 250 communities in the region, with 6,000 displaced residents reported to be sleeping in religious houses in Plateau State.
On Tuesday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State stated that hoodlums had taken over 64 communities in the state.
Gunmen had attacked communities in Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and others in Manguna, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state on April 2, killing at least 52 people.
No fewer than 383 houses were burnt and 1,800 displaced.
Similarly, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, expressed concern over the growing influence of Boko Haram in his state.
Zulum, during a security meeting at the Government House on Thursday, said, “Renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities daily without confrontation signal that Borno State is losing ground.”
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar el-Kanemi, noted that Abadam, Marte and Guzamala LGAs were already under the control of the insurgents.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State in January 2025 said over 1,000 households were displaced in a series of attacks on communities across the state from December 29, 2024, to January 9, 2025.
No fewer than 100 communities spread across 26 council wards in five LGAs of the state were alleged to have been occupied by bandits.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, who spoke to our correspondent, claimed that the hoodlums hoisted flags after sacking the communities.
The leader of the three socio-cultural groups in the state (Mdzou U Tiv, Ochi’Kidoma and Omn’Igede), Iorbee Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons, decried the invasion of the state by hoodlums, adding that many communities were still under their control.
Ihagh, who also doubles as the President General of Mdzou U Tiv Worldwide, said, “The situation in Moon council ward is pathetic. Every public institution in the area, including schools, health centres and market places, was destroyed and many houses burnt. Personally, my house in the village was burnt. Nobody can access any community there. When my wife died last year, I couldn’t take her corpse home because herdsmen had taken over the communities.”
252 attacks on Borno in five months – Ndume
The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, said between November 2024 and now, there had been more than 252 attacks in Borno State alone.
Ndume stated this while appearing on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday.
While confirming that three councils in the state were under the control of Boko Haram, he berated the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for calling on Nigerians to ignore Zulum’s claim that Borno was losing ground to the insurgents.
Ndume attributed the renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents to inadequate deployment of troops in the state and lack of ammunition.
The vocal senator insisted that insecurity had remained stagnant, contrary to claims by President Bola Tinubu’s administration that things had improved.
He said, “From November last year to date, there were over 252 attacks in Borno State. We have lost more than 100 soldiers; we have lost nearly 300 civilians even though our soldiers gallantly killed over 800 of the terrorists within this period.
“No, we cannot say things are getting better, we cannot also say things are getting worse. We are in a stagnated situation because when you say we are getting it right today, tomorrow you hear another thing just like what happened in Plateau State last week. Lukarawa came in Sokoto, Kebbi and attacked two days ago, the situation is the same thing in Katsina.”
“The President should concentrate on three things — security, welfare of citizens and economy. If it is possible, he should declare a state of emergency in these three areas.”
We sleep under mango trees – IDPs
Many displaced persons in Agagbe IDP camp in Gwer West LGA of Benue State, lamented that they were ‘living in hell on earth.’
A displaced person, Terna Ibaah, said people were registering in the camp daily due to frequent attacks on communities.
He said the influx of displaced persons into the camp had overstretched the capacity of the facility.
“There are five locations in Agagbe camp, but what we are experiencing now is overpopulation, resulting in many people sleeping under mango trees. Little children who do not have any shelter to lay their heads sleep on their wrappers because they don’t have sleeping mats or mattresses,” he added.
Also speaking, a female IDP, who identified herself as Ugba-Kpa-Nyir, stated that she and her three kids, aged three, five, and seven, went to the camp three weeks ago after armed herders ransacked her village and killed seven people, including her husband.
Speaking in her local language, Nyir said, “We left our village with nothing after armed herders attacked on the first Saturday of March. Seven people were killed, including my husband.
“The whole community has been taken over by armed herders. At the time we arrived in the camp, there was nothing. I had only my three children and we rely on old inmates to survive.”
‘Over 6,000 find shelter in Plateau churches’
Bandit attacks have also ravaged many communities in Plateau State, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement in their wake.
Saturday PUNCH, during a visit to Bokkos LGA where attacks occurred on Tuesday, observed that the communities had been deserted.
Many survivors had also fled their homes, seeking refuge in nearby towns or IDP camps.
The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, revealed that about 2,000 IDPs were staying at St. Thomas Catholic Church, including about 780 displaced residents from Daffo community.
According to indigenes, about 4,000 displaced persons were camping at the ECWA Church in Hurti community.
“Many of the IDPs are sleeping on bare floors. We have more than 5,000 people taking refuge in different camps in Bokkos alone. That is the situation following the recent attacks carried out by bandits in some communities, which left over 50 persons dead.
“The people are facing the challenge of food. They need food to eat, and they need their houses repaired because they’ve been destroyed. Also, their farm implements and foodstuffs have been set ablaze by the bandits.
“We have some communities like Josho that have been completely taken over by the Fulani. Ganda community is facing a similar situation,” Mallai added.
Our correspondents gathered that apart from Bokkos, bandits had also occupied many communities in neighbouring local government areas, including Barkin Ladi and Riyom.
The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri, attributed the attacks to the control of rich natural and mineral resources in the affected areas.
Communities under bandit control in Sokoto
Many communities, especially in the eastern senatorial zone of Sokoto State, were also reported to have fallen under the control of bandits.
Our correspondent learnt that most of the communities were in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Tangaza, Rabah, Gada, Illela, and Wurno LGAs of the state.
A security expert, Mahmud Abdullahi, told Saturday PUNCH that the majority of the bandits controlling the communities were linked to wanted terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji.
He said the bandits imposed taxes on their hosts before allowing access to farms and livestock.
“In many instances, you can only make use of your farm when permitted to do so — not on your terms or conditions.
“I know of a community where these people determine when and how the market should be operated. You can only go to the market on days they approve; otherwise, you will pay dearly for it. Most of these communities are known to the government, but they won’t talk about it, and they will also harass you if you try to,” he stated.
Another security expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the presence of bandits in some communities in the Sabon Birni LGA of the state.
“I know of some communities in that area where they still collect taxes from the people before allowing them access to farms and other activities. It is disturbing and worrisome that despite all the outcry, the government has not found a lasting solution to such problems,” he stated.
He revealed that a highly anticipated peace negotiation between four rival bandit groups failed, raising fears of continued violence and instability in the region.
The expert added, “The meeting, held in the remote village of Usu in Birnin Magaji LGA of Katsina State, brought together representatives of notorious armed leaders, including Gwaska Dan Karami, Alhaji Shingi, and Bello Turji.
“The talks were meant to ease internal conflicts and end longstanding rivalries among the groups. However, tension quickly flared as demands were tabled. Alhaji Shingi’s representatives accused Gwaska Dan Karami of encroaching on their territory and threatened retaliation. They also demanded the return of stolen cattle belonging to a resident of Safana LGA in Katsina State.
“Another contentious issue involved weapons allegedly seized from the late Sani Dangote. Gwaska Dan Karami was urged to return the guns and compensate Dangote’s family by purchasing new firearms.
“Despite initial hopes, the meeting unravelled when Bello Turji’s group refused to engage in the negotiations altogether. Turji’s faction, instead vowed to continue targeting Gwaska Dan Karami, declaring their intent to hunt him down.”
He said the collapse of the talks sparked renewed fears of escalating violence in parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and neighbouring states already grappling with insecurity.
How bandits replace imams, flog residents – Chairman’s aide
However, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Chairman of Tangaza LGA, Gazali Raka, denied the presence of bandits in the area.
But he admitted that the council had a growing presence of Lakurawa terrorists.
Raka said the Lakurawa agents, unlike before when they operated at night, now carry out their activities in broad daylight, regardless of the presence of security personnel.
He said, “We don’t have bandits anymore in Tangaza Local Government, and no community here is under their control. But we have more presence of Lakurawa.
“Some of the big names among the bandits have now switched to Lakurawa. We have people like Mezabo and Charambe, who were once arrested by the DSS. Though he was charged to court, he was later released. He has now become one of the strongest Lakurawa agents. We also have Alela, another top member of Lakurawa here in Tangaza.
“Do you know that they now operate even during the day, right in town? They harass people in most communities. When you go to Ruwa-Wuri, Masalaci, among other communities, they move freely, and soldiers are doing nothing to stop them.
“If they see anyone playing music on their phone or in their shop, they will destroy the device and give that person 50 strokes of the cane. They go to any mosque and summon the imam for questioning. If he fails to answer, he gets flogged and replaced.
“The most annoying part is that only the Nigerian Police Force is helping us. They come out both during the day and at night — unlike the soldiers, who have stopped operating at night,” he stated.
But the lawmaker representing Sabon Birnin West in the state House of Assembly, Almustapha Boza, confirmed that bandits had taken control of some communities in Isa LGA.
He promised to provide details but had not responded as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Sokoto State Governor, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), denied knowledge of any community being under the control of bandits.
While admitting there were security challenges, especially in the eastern senatorial district of the state, he said security agents, in conjunction with the state Community Guard Corps, were working to tackle the problem.
Katsina residents displaced after attacks
In Katsina State, residents of Malumfashi LGA said bandits had invaded many villages, abducting and killing people at will.
According to a resident of Tura, Baba Sani, the bandits have launched coordinated attacks during the day and night, leaving people in sorrow and tears.
“Bandits in broad daylight stormed communities in Dandume LGA. They kidnapped and killed several people. As we speak, people are displaced, while other communities are also afraid of being displaced.
“We in Tura are already suffering from poverty, food scarcity, and now insecurity. I heard about negotiations with bandits, especially in the Jibia LGA, recently, and I also know that peace has returned to those areas. But in our case here in Malumfashi, we don’t know what to do — and the government is just watching,” Sani said.
Findings by our correspondents revealed that Tasha Fulani and Karfi communities have been experiencing persistent attacks from bandits, forcing people to flee their homes and farmlands.
Bandits impose levies on Zamfara communities
Bandits are reported to be controlling no fewer than 100 communities in Zamfara State.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that although they imposed levies and collected taxes, they did not appoint leaders for the communities under their control.
Some residents expressed disgust over what they described as the state government’s nonchalant attitude.
A resident of Kungurmi village in Gusau LGA, Sani Musa, said the bandits had been in control since attacking their community and killing many people in 2021.
He said, “The bandits attacked our community and killed more than 50 people. I was lucky to escape with my brother to Gusau town. The bandits have controlled the village since then. They impose levies on the people.”
Bello Turji disguises as woman
Saturday PUNCH learnt that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji had been disguising himself as a woman, wearing a hijab to evade arrest.
A security expert, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said Turji was roaming around Sokoto, Zamfara, and the Republic of Niger.
He said, “Bello Turji now wears women’s dresses, including hijab and a turban, to disguise. He rides camels to move across Nigeria-Niger borders. He is living in total fear and has stopped using phones to avoid being traced.
“However, I am optimistic that Turji will be arrested very soon, as some of his lieutenants have either been eliminated or have abandoned him.”(Punch)
