 |
| DHQ Clarifies: Notorious Bandit Leader Bello Turji Has Not Surrendered |
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly refuted recent media reports claiming that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has surrendered to the Nigerian military.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, stated clearly that the fugitive remains at large.
“Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji; Turji has not surrendered, we are still on the lookout for him,” Kangye told journalists.
Turji, who operates mainly across Zamfara and Sokoto States, has been linked to multiple violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings in the North-West region. He is on the military’s wanted list for orchestrating large-scale assaults on communities, destruction of property, and mass abductions.
Recent Claims of Surrender Debunked
Earlier reports circulating in local and online media alleged that Bello Turji had surrendered his arms and freed 32 kidnapped victims as part of a peace deal facilitated by Islamic clerics in Zamfara. However, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has now officially dismissed these claims, affirming that no such surrender has taken place.
Authorities maintain that security operations targeting Turji’s network are ongoing, with military offensives in Zamfara and Sokoto continuing to dismantle armed groups threatening rural communities.
Military’s Counter-Banditry Efforts
The DHQ’s clarification comes amid intensified military campaigns in the North-West, where banditry and insurgency have severely affected farming, trade, and social stability. The Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with Operation Hadarin Daji and other security agencies, are working to reclaim territories and protect vulnerable populations from further attacks.
For ongoing updates on Nigeria’s security situation, visit the official Defence Headquarters website and credible national news outlets for verified reports.
