Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has acknowledged that negotiations are currently in progress to address the persistent violence plaguing Zamfara and other northwestern states.
The revelation came through a Thursday social media post by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who reported that the discussions aim to establish lasting peace in the region.
Turji, speaking in Hausa, emphasised his desire for a resolution that would allow both Fulani herders and Hausa farmers to resume their livelihoods without fear of attacks or oppression.
“What we want is peace, peace that will enable Fulani herders and Hausa farmers to live without fear or oppression,” the bandit leader stated.
However, Turji also directed sharp criticism toward prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada, who had previously denied reports of ongoing peace talks.
Challenging the cleric’s stance, Bello Turji dared him to personally lead security forces in an attempt to arrest him, saying, “You sit in the hall (mosque) surrounded by people and on social media saying there are no talks. If you are brave, come and lead the security forces to arrest me yourself since that is what you always preach.”
The development highlights the complex dynamics surrounding efforts to curb banditry in Nigeria’s northwest, where armed groups have long terrorised communities through kidnappings, killings, and displacement.
While the prospect of negotiations offers a glimmer of hope, scepticism remains over whether such talks can yield sustainable peace given past failures and the fractured nature of criminal networks in the region. Authorities have yet to officially confirm or comment on the reported discussions.
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