Nigeria, June 21 -- Fresh fears of renewed violence have emerged in Sokoto State after a civil society group claimed that bandits loyal to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji were conducting weapons training near the Sokoto-Zamfara border.

The claim raises concerns that the bandits are regrouping despite ongoing military offensives in the region.

The claim was contained in an intelligence report released by Basharu Altine, Sokoto State coordinator of the Movement for Social Justice and Good Governance.

According to the report, the alleged training was taking place in communities stretching from Bingabale Kudu through Bafarawa East to Bargaja.

The areas had witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups and sustained security operations in...