Gunmen strike Kwara community as Turji expands routes

Suspected operatives linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and criminal elements loyal to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji have attacked Dutsen Kogo community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing two residents and heightening security concerns in the North-Central region.

Security sources said the assailants stormed the village on January 27, firing shots into the air and forcing residents and business owners to flee. After the attackers withdrew, two bodies were found, including that of 33-year-old Abubakar Mohammed. The gunmen reportedly retreated towards the Kainji National Park axis.

The attack comes amid growing fears of Turji’s expanding influence beyond the North-West, with reports suggesting his network is consolidating routes connecting Zamfara and Katsina states to the Republic of Niger, raising the risk of cross-border insurgent movements.

A day after the Kwara raid, Turji reportedly released an audio message claiming that a local officer, identified as Lantai, was alive but in his custody, following an earlier ambush. Analysts warn the claim could trigger retaliatory violence or renewed clashes among armed groups.

Security observers say the pattern of coordinated raids on remote communities and strategic withdrawals into forested areas points to increasing operational sophistication by the armed groups, enabling them to evade security forces.

They called for intensified intelligence-driven operations and closer collaboration between Kwara, Niger and neighbouring countries to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

The latest incident underscores persistent insecurity in parts of Kwara and the need for stronger regional responses to criminal and insurgent networks.