Hamza Samaila Surudubu, a suspected gunrunner and arms supplier to terrorists operating in North-West Nigeria, including the notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji, has been arrested.
The arrest was confirmed by Colonel Ahmed Usman (retd), Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on security matters.
Usman revealed that the 35-year-old arms courier, identified as Hamza Samaila Surudubu, was apprehended by the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps (SSCGC) from the Isa Division. The suspect was arrested on February 20, 2025, along Shinkafi Road, with assistance from the Civilian JTF.
According to preliminary investigations, Surudubu was en route to deliver arms and ammunition to prominent bandits, including Turji, Boka, and Halilu Buzu. The case has been transferred to relevant security agencies for further investigation.
In a related development, Sokoto State Lawmaker Honourable Aminu Almustapha Boza has confirmed the presence of bandit leader Bello Turji in a forest within Isa Local Government Area. Boza, who represents Sabon Birni in the state House of Assembly, stated that Turji has been extorting money from locals.
Boza revealed that Turji has reportedly imposed a ₦25 million tax on villages in the region, particularly in the Isa and Sabon Birni areas.
“We’ve confirmed that Bello Turji is actively collecting taxes from local communities, demanding ₦25 million from some villages,” Boza stated. He called on security forces and local authorities to step up operations against bandits in the region.
