Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has called for peace as he expressed his willingness to surrender alongside his foot soldiers.
In a viral video online, Bello Turji said enough of the killings of the innocent masses, which he claimed were carried out by government agents in the name of bandit attacks.
He noted that his surrender does not mean he and his members are being overpowered, but rather a call for peaceful cohabitation with farmers and residents in the region.
“We are calling on the incumbent administration to understand that the agents it is sending to kill innocent people in the name of bandits is not a good thing,” Turji said in the trending video.
“We are calling on the Zamfara State and Federal Government for peace. Enough of the killing.”
The terrorist kingpin added: “We urge the government to compensate those affected and embrace peace with herders and farmers.
“Let’s all embrace peace. We are calling for peace, not because of the speculations that we are being overpowered. We are only surrendering for peace to reign and to return to peaceful cohabitation between farmers and headers.
“We call on our fighters across the bushes to sheath their swords and embrace peace.”
Below is the video clip of Bello Turji announcing his readiness for peace.
Bello Turji Not Laying Down Arms Because Of Peace – Securty Expert
However, renowned counter-insurgency expert and Lake Chad security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has dismissed the reported surrender and peace gesture of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, describing it as a tactical move borne out of desperation rather than genuine remorse.
Makama stated this in response to the viral video that emerged over the weekend in which Turji declared his readiness to lay down arms and embrace peace.
This Is Not Repentance But Strategy
In a post on 𝕏 on Monday, Makama argued that Turji’s sudden U-turn was the outcome of his diminished operational strength, particularly following the death of his right-hand man and key battlefield commander, Danbokolo.
“Turji is not laying down arms because he suddenly loves peace. He is doing so because his operational capabilities have been severely weakened,” Makama wrote.
He stressed that Turji’s network began crumbling after the loss of Danbokolo, who was killed in a recent joint security operation involving operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the Hybrid Forces, a local security outfit that includes members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Makama, citing intelligence sources, noted that Danbokolo played a pivotal role in Turji’s terror operations, overseeing ambushes, raids, and executions.
“Turji was more of a spokesman. Danbokolo handled the heavy lifting. Once Danbokolo was gone, so was Turji’s swagger,” one security source reportedly said.
Danbokolo’s killing, Makama added, created a leadership vacuum and threw Turji’s once-formidable bandit group into disarray, prompting the leader to opt for surrender as a survival tactic.
Naijaonpoint reports that while Turji’s public offer to surrender has stirred debate among Nigerians, the Federal Government is yet to officially respond to the development.
However, according to Makama, deliberations are ongoing regarding whether to disarm the warlord and what terms, if any, might be attached.