Bandit leader Turji expresses willingness to surrender

Notorious Zamfara bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, has reportedly expressed readiness to surrender and support peace efforts in the North-West, though the military insists no formal deal has been reached.

Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama disclosed that Turji, 29, wants to be part of a “lasting solution” to the cycle of killings and reprisals that has plagued Zamfara and neighbouring states for over a decade.

Cleric Sheikh Musa Yusuf (Asadus-Sunnah) told worshippers in Kaduna that Turji had already freed 32 hostages, including women and children, and handed over weapons after three rounds of dialogue in July within Fakai forest, Shinkafi Local Government Area.

The bandit leader also reportedly allowed displaced farmers to return to their farmlands and pledged to protect Fulani communities from vigilante attacks.

However, Yusuf admitted Turji had not fully disarmed, citing the threat of rival gangs.

He warned critics against “social media attacks” that could derail the fragile truce.

The Defence Headquarters, however, denied Turji’s surrender.

Major-General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, stressed on Thursday that “no deal has been struck with the terrorist commander,” though the military is aware of local peace efforts.

Turji, linked to some of Zamfara’s deadliest massacres, had in October 2024 warned that peace would remain elusive unless security forces and vigilantes stopped targeting Fulani communities, accusing politicians of politicising insecurity.