Bello Turji, a notorious Zamfara bandit leader, has reportedly confirmed readiness to abandon violence and embrace peace, in what could become a critical turning point in Nigeria’s fight against banditry in the North-West.
According to Zagazola Makama, Counter-terrorism expert, Turji conveyed his interest in reconciliation, stressing that the 29-year-old bandit commander wanted to be part of a lasting solution to the cycle of killings and reprisals that have destabilised Zamfara and neighbouring states for over a decade.
But while some clerics and residents claim progress has been made through dialogue, the military dismissed reports of his surrender, insisting it has no record of any deal with the fugitive warlord.
“Turji has expressed genuine interest in peace if given the right platform. His insistence is that he does not want to be treated as a defeated criminal, but as someone ready to be part of a lasting solution,” Makama said.
The bandit leader has been linked to some of the bloodiest attacks in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and other local councils in Zamfara, where hundreds of villagers have been killed, thousands displaced, and farming communities ruined.
Sheikh Musa Yusuf, popularly known as Asadus-Sunnah, told worshippers during a religious gathering in Kaduna on Monday that Turji had already begun demonstrating goodwill.
According to him, the bandit leader released 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, and surrendered some weapons after three rounds of dialogue in July deep inside Fakai forest, Shinkafi Local Government Area.
The freed victims had spent up to four months in captivity, with some women giving birth in the bush. One survivor reportedly suffered a snake bite.
Videos shown by the cleric captured some of the released captives and the harsh terrain they traversed to reach safety.
According to the Yusuf, under the reported peace agreement, Turji and his lieutenants, identified as Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila allowed farmers to return to their farmlands and promised protection for Fulani residents against vigilante reprisals.
Yusuf, however, admitted that a complete disarmament was not demanded, saying it would leave Turji exposed to rival gangs still operating outside the peace talks.
He urged critics not to “attack Turji on social media,” warning that such remarks could derail the fragile truce.
On its part, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied that Turji has formally surrendered.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on a Thursday, Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General clarified that no deal had been struck with the terrorist commander.
“Contrary to circulating reports, Turji has not surrendered to the military. We are aware of certain local peace efforts, but these are outside the official framework,” Kangye said.
In October 2024, Turji himself released a video warning that peace would remain elusive unless security forces and vigilantes stopped targeting Fulani communities.
He accused politicians, including Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal and former governor Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, of politicising insecurity.
“Guns and airstrikes will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” Turji declared in Hausa.
(Businessday)
