The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially refuted recent claims that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has surrendered to the Nigerian military. Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated during a press briefing in Abuja that Bello Turji remains at large and that security forces are actively pursuing him.
“Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji... Turji has not surrendered. We are still on the lookout for him,” Kangye asserted firmly.
The denial comes amid various reports suggesting that Turji, who operates mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto states, had laid down arms and even released some hostages following peace talks brokered by Islamic clerics. However, security experts and sources on the ground emphasize that Turji and his group remain active, continuing violent activities including extortion and attacks on local communities.
One local security commentator described rumors of Turji’s surrender as “false and misleading,” warning that spreading such information could undermine counter-insurgency efforts and reduce public vigilance.
The ongoing threat posed by Turji’s faction includes forced levies on residents of communities in Eastern Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as holding numerous hostages. These continued activities underscore the complexity and persistence of the banditry crisis in Northwestern Nigeria.
The federal government and military maintain their commitment to locating and neutralizing Bello Turji, emphasizing that credible information from official sources should guide public understanding of the security situation.