Wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji hasn’t surrendered, says DHQ

The defence headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims that Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, has surrendered to the military.

Markus Kangye, director of defence media operations, spoke on the development on Thursday in Abuja, while providing updates 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,” Kangye said.

Turji, who operates largely in Zamfara and Sokoto states, has been linked to several deadly raids on communities in the north-west.

He also reportedly operates a strict, deadly tax regime in certain communities, with defaulters not allowed to till the land or rear livestock.

Recent reports suggested that the bandit leader had handed over his weapons and freed 32 abducted persons after a peace deal facilitated by Islamic clerics in Zamfara.

According to the report, Turji and his gang surrendered some weapons in three stages and have allowed residents to resume farming activities in areas previously occupied by fighters.