Tag: Turji

Bandit kingpin, Turji releases 100 captives in fresh peace deal

Aminu Imam
Zamfara banditry

Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has released about 100 captives as part of a renewed peace initiative in Zamfara State. Security sources told a counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, that the release followed ongoing dialogue and confidence-building efforts led by community leaders under the North West Operation Safe Corridor peace process. The victims, including men, women, and children, were handed over to local authorities and taken to a hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their families. A source involved in the negotiations said the release was part of an…

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“Bandit leader, Turji has not surrendered” – DHQ

Aminu Imam
DHQ Turji

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports that bandit leader Bello Turji has surrendered to the military. Its Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known yesterday in Abuja, during a briefing on the activities of the Armed Forces. “Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji; Turji has not surrendered, we are still on the look out for him”, he said. Turji, a wanted bandit leader operating mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto states, has been accused of masterminding several attacks on communities in…

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Bello Turji releases captives, surrenders arms amid cleric-brokered truce

Aminu Imam
Bello Turji releases captives

…As public figures demand justice Zamfara terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, has reportedly released 32 kidnapped victims and surrendered a portion of his arms following a series of peace negotiations led by Islamic clerics in the Fakai Forest, Shinkafi local government area. However, the gesture has sparked national debate, with some prominent voices demanding accountability for his past atrocities. At a religious gathering in Kaduna on Monday, renowned Islamic scholar Musa Yusuf, popularly known as ‘Asadus-Sunnah’, disclosed that his team held three separate meetings in July with Turji and other bandit…

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Wanted bandit kingpin, Turji sues for peace after top commander’s death

Aminu Imam
Turji sues for peace

Notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji is allegedly making overtures for peace in the aftermath of the death of his top field commander and cousin, Kachalla Yellow Ɗanbokolo. This was made known in X post yesterday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, citing multiple sources. Turji is one of the most wanted terror leaders in Nigeria’s North West. Recall that Ɗanbokolo was recently neutralised by security operatives. Makama disclosed that Turji was said to be calling for a meeting with other bandit groups,…

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Zamfara: Notorious bandit leader, Turji demands ₦50m ‘farming tax’ from communities

Aminu Imam
Bandit leader, Turji demands

…Threatens bloodshed Fear has gripped communities in Zamfara State, as reports emerge that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has demanded a whopping ₦50 million from residents of Tsalaken Gulbi, stretching from Fakai village, in Shinkafi local government area all the way to Qaya, near the Niger Republic border – just for the “privilege” to farm during this year’s rainy season. According to local sources, Turji’s men allegedly delivered the ultimatum directly to farmers, warning them that unless the money is paid in full, no one will be allowed to step…

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Sokoto: Bello Turji’s threats force residents to flee communities

Aminu Imam
Sokoto Bello Turji’s threats

Fear and uncertainty have gripped parts of Isa local government area in Sokoto State, following fresh threats from notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, who has reportedly forced residents of Bafarawa town to flee their homes. This is as the State’s Police Command said it has deployed personnel to the troubled areas. According to local sources, the bandit kingpin has also issued an ultimatum to neighbouring villages of Kamara, Arume, and Kagara, warning residents to vacate their communities by 4:00 p.m. yesterday, or face violent consequences. Isa LGA is among the…

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Bandit leader, Turji on the run, as military raids camp, kills son 

Aminu Imam
Turji on the run

Combined ground and air troops under ‘Operation Fansan Yanma’, have escalated their offensive against the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji in Zamfara State. Recent coordinated military strikes have dismantled key hideouts in Fakai, a stronghold in Shinkafi local government area, where Turji and his associates have long operated. This comes after a series of successful missions that resulted in the destruction of multiple bandit camps in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Among the camps targeted were Zangon Dan Gwandi, Zangon Tsaika, Zangon Kagara, and a school…

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“Turji’s threat to destroy Zamfara, affront on Army” – APC chieftain

Aminu Imam
APC chieftain2

A threat by bandit leader, Bello Turji to destroy Zamfara State if his associate, Baka Burgi, is arrested by the military, is not released before end of  December, has been described as a direct affront to the Nigerian Army. An APC chieftain in the State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, expressed this sentiment while addressing newsmen at his residence in Gusau,  the state capital,  at the weekend. Recall that the Nigerian Army apprehended top bandit leader, Bako Wurgi (a.k.a Baka Na-Garba) on December 14. Wurgi is suspected of involvement in the…

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Sokoto: ‘Bandit Turji collects N6m ransom from community’ - Security Consultant

Aminu Imam
Sokoto Turji collects

Armed bandit leader, Jiya Turji, has reportedly received a ransom payment of N6 million from residents of Sardauna village in Sabon-Birni local government area of Sokoto State. This was posted by  a security consultant, Zagazola Makama, on his handle, who was giving an update on the activities of Turji. According  to Makama, Intelligence sources disclosed that the payment was made by the villagers to secure the release of five of their community members who had been abducted by the gang led by Turji during an earlier attack. According to locals,…

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Military fumes, as Turjis bandits levy Zamfara villagers N30m

Aminu Imam
Military on Turji

Residents of Moriki town, in Zamfara State, are in distress as the deadline to pay a N30 million levy imposed by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has passed. Recall that the levy was imposed after military forces killed over 100 of Turji’s cattle, prompting him to demand payment or threaten violence. Many villagers are fleeing, while others, due to economic hardship or health issues, remain behind. Despite attempts to raise the funds, the community has fallen short. In response, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, vowed that the…

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