Bandit leader Bello Turji has claimed responsibility for recent attacks on security operatives in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while simultaneously offering to engage in peace talks with the Nigerian government, according to a video circulating on social media. The video, reportedly recorded on June 20, 2026, features a masked man believed to be Turji speaking in Hausa, flanked by armed men in military-style camouflage. He outlined ongoing clashes in the North-West region, accusing security forces and unknown groups of attacking communities and seizing livestock in areas such as Shinkafi, Zamfara State, and Sabon Birni, Sokoto State.
In the recording, Turji alleged that innocent civilians have been killed in these operations, describing the attacks as unjust and targeting defenseless people. “Some people who are chasing away our livestock are killing our innocent brothers and sisters, people who have done nothing wrong, in places such as Shinkafi in Zamfara State, Sabon Birni in Sokoto State and other surrounding areas,” he stated. He framed these incidents as part of a broader conflict over land, resources, and perceived oppression by security forces and local authorities.
Turji further claimed that his group has retaliated against those they accuse of harming their communities, asserting that they have achieved victories in these confrontations. “Allah granted us victory over these people who are carrying out these operations and driving away our livestock,” he said. The video portrays the group as both defiant and strategic, emphasizing their military readiness while also extending an olive branch to the government.
The bandit leader explicitly stated his group’s openness to negotiation, urging authorities to pursue dialogue instead of force. “If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation,” he declared. However, he warned that continued military operations would be met with resistance. “But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared. Our fighters are ready for whatever comes,” he added, underscoring the volatile nature of the security situation in the region.
This development comes amid heightened insecurity in the North-West, where banditry, cattle rustling, and communal conflicts have led to widespread displacement and loss of life. The video has sparked concern among security analysts and local leaders, who fear further escalation if dialogue is not pursued promptly. Government authorities have yet to issue an official response to the video, but security agencies are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
As tensions remain high, the offer for negotiations may signal a shift in the group’s tactics, though their readiness for armed confrontation suggests the path to peace remains uncertain. The incident highlights the complex dynamics of insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where economic hardship, political neglect, and weak governance continue to fuel violence. The coming days will be critical in determining whether dialogue or conflict will dominate the region’s trajectory.
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