Thousands of residents in northwestern Nigeria have fled their homes this week after the leader of an armed gang ordered them to leave in retaliation for a recent security operation, officials and local sources reported on Wednesday.
Bello Turji, who heads one of several gangs terrorizing the predominantly Muslim northwest, has been linked to killings, abductions, and ransom demands targeting residents, farmers, students, and motorists.
The ongoing violence has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christians.
Nigerian authorities, however, maintain that armed groups target both Christians and Muslims, and that Christians are not systematically persecuted.
Residents of Tidibale, a northwestern community, said Turji suspected that locals had tipped off security forces, leading to a military operation that killed one of his men.
Three people were reportedly killed when Turji visited Tidibale three days ago to enforce his order for the community to vacate the area, according to Basharu Altine Guyawa, Sokoto state coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance.
