A man whose image has been widely circulated online holding a rifle has been identified as “Duna Sani”, a top commander in the gang of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.
Naijaonpoint reports that counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, described Sani as one of the most dangerous figures in Turji’s network, feared for his extreme brutality in northwestern Nigeria.
According to Makama, Duna Sani is accused of killing countless people, beheading women, and committing multiple sexual assaults in communities repeatedly targeted by Turji’s fighters.
In an alleged audio recording, Turji reportedly bragged that his ally “could not go more than three days without killing someone.”
Makama, in a post on 𝕏, wrote, “Notorious Bandit Commander ‘Duna Sani’ identified as key ally of Bello Turji… accused of killing an uncountable number of people, beheading women, and committing multiple acts of sexual violence in northwestern Nigeria.”
Naijaonpoint reports that this comes days after Turji released a new video message confirming that negotiations are ongoing with him to end violence and insecurity in parts of Zamfara and neighbouring states.
In the video, which surfaced online on Thursday, Turji stated that the negotiations aimed to foster lasting peace, allowing farmers and herders to coexist peacefully and pursue their livelihoods without fear of violence or harassment.
“What we want is peace, peace that will enable Fulani herders and Hausa farmers to live without fear or oppression,” Turji said in Hausa language in the video shared by Zagazola Makama on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter).
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]