Bello Turji: Has Wanted Bandit Leader Finally Surrendered? Defence Headquarters Speaks

• The defence headquarters (DHQ) debunked reports that Bello Turji, a notorious terrorist commander, has surrendered to security forces
• This is amid claims by some Islamic clerics that the bandit leader recently entered into a peace pact
• Major General Markus Kangye stated that the military had no record of Turji’s surrender, and that any reported negotiation did not involve the armed forces

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering security matters in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - The defence headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday, August 14, denied reports that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has surrendered to the military.

Legit.ng reports that Turji, a wanted terrorist operating mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto states, is accused of masterminding several attacks on communities in the north-west.

Recently, there were reports that the bandit leader had surrendered and released 32 kidnap victims following a peace initiative brokered by Islamic clerics in Zamfara state.

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However, per The Cable, Markus Kangye, director of defence media operations, denied such the surrender claim during a briefing on the activities of the Armed Forces in Abuja.

Guardian quoted Kangye as saying:

“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."

Military kills Bello Turji’s deputy

Meanwhile, the DHQ said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the northwest zone eliminated Aminu Kanawa, Turji's second-in-command.

The military high command also said troops also inflicted terminal injuries on some of Turji’s close allies namely: Dosso (Bello Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo (one of Turji’s closest allies).

Additionally, the DHQ shared that security forces neutralised several of Turji’s key commanders namely: Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe, among others.

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Legit.ng reports that bandits led by Turji have been terrorising Zamfara and Sokoto states, imposing levies on helpless residents and killing many of them.

In response, the Zamfara state government recruited hundreds of people into the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to complement efforts of conventional security operatives.

The government, in January 2024, set up the Community Protection Guards (CPG) also known as Askarawa, to help in the fight against banditry in Zamfara state.

Read more on outlawed Bello Turji:

• Shehu Sani reacts as military guns down Bello Turji’s son
• Has deadly bandit leader Bello Turji been finally arested? Fact emerges

Banditry: Bello Turji fights back

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Turji slammed a N22 million levy on four villages in Sokoto state over the killing of one of his men in a military operation in the area.

According to the locals, the levy would also compensate for the firearms that were missing during the operation.

Aminu Boza, the member representing Sabon Birni West constituency at the state house of assembly, disclosed that Turji had shifted his base to the eastern part of Isa local government of the state.

Source: Legit.ng