Zamfara State’s notorious bandit leader, Turji Bello, has made a shocking call for peace talks with the Federal Government, even as violence continues to escalate in the region.
In a video released on Monday, Bello, who operates as a feared terrorist in northern Nigeria, demanded an end to airstrikes and military operations targeting his fighters.
He urged the authorities to negotiate for peace, warning that continued violence would not solve the region’s security crisis.
This plea comes at a time when the Nigerian military is intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal groups in Zamfara and neighboring states, killing several fighters and pushing others to surrender.
Sitting on a motorcycle in a dense forest, Bello, armed and surrounded by rough terrain, launched a scathing attack on both the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and the former governor, now Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle.
He accused both politicians of politicizing the security crisis for personal gain. According to him, their ongoing political disputes do not have the interests of the people of Zamfara at heart.
“Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle labelling each other as terrorists will not help,” Bello said.
He went on to question how both politicians have handled the state’s insecurity crisis, adding that he and his group had no sponsors outside their own ranks.
“When Matawalle was governor, who was sponsoring us? Similarly, when Abdulaziz Yari was governor, who was sponsoring us? Nobody is sponsoring us except God,” he added.
The video, which quickly went viral, marks a dramatic shift in Bello’s tone as he called for peace negotiations, claiming that only dialogue could restore peace to the troubled region.
Bello emphasized that peace would not come until the Fulani people, whom he often represents, are no longer targeted by the government, military, and local vigilante groups.
He added, “This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Guns and airstrikes will not stop us because we are not afraid of death.”
His statement hints at ongoing frustrations within the Fulani community, which has often been caught in the crossfire of Nigeria’s complex security crisis.
Turji Bello’s request for dialogue is significant because it follows increased military efforts to weaken bandit groups in northern Nigeria.
In recent months, the Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified airstrikes and ground operations to root out bandits and terrorists from Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states, where their reign of terror has caused thousands of deaths and displaced entire communities.
Reports suggest that many fighters loyal to Bello have been killed in these military operations, while others have laid down their arms and surrendered to authorities.
However, despite these setbacks, Bello’s faction remains defiant. He pointed out that the recent killing of his “master,” Halilu Sububu, during an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force, has only motivated the younger fighters to continue their deadly campaign.
“Kachallah Halilu Sububu is not the first person to be killed; several others were killed. The killing of Halilu Sububu will not deter us from doing what we are doing unless you stop killing our brothers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states,” Bello declared.
Bello’s reference to the Fulani highlights the deep ethnic and cultural dimensions of the violence plaguing northern Nigeria.
The Fulani people, traditionally known for their cattle-herding lifestyle, have increasingly found themselves drawn into the region’s conflict, often as both victims and perpetrators.
Their grievances, which often center around land disputes, cattle rustling, and clashes with local farmers, have led to long-standing tensions between them and other ethnic groups.
Bello claims that these issues have been mishandled by successive administrations, particularly under previous governors, leading to the escalation of violence in Zamfara.
“It was during the administration of Yerima that the government sold out the grazing reserve and legalized the killing of the Fulanis,” Bello said, referencing a period during which Fulani herders were reportedly displaced from their lands.
“Abdulaziz Yari came and empowered the vigilante, but we are still struggling,” he added, accusing the former governor of worsening the crisis by giving support to local vigilante groups, who have often clashed violently with Fulani herders.
The Federal Government has yet to officially respond to Bello’s call for dialogue.
However, past attempts at negotiating with bandit groups in Zamfara and other northern states have often ended in failure, with ceasefires breaking down and violence resuming shortly after.
Critics of dialogue with bandits argue that negotiating with criminals gives legitimacy to their activities and encourages more violence.
At the same time, security experts acknowledge the complexities of addressing the region’s conflicts through military means alone, noting the deep-seated social, economic, and ethnic factors that fuel the violence.
In 2021, former Zamfara Governor Bello Matawalle himself attempted a controversial peace deal with bandit leaders. He offered amnesty to those willing to lay down arms and reintegrate into society. However, the initiative collapsed as bandits continued attacks, sparking public outrage.
Bello’s defiant stance in the video underscores the challenges faced by the government in its efforts to restore stability to northern Nigeria.
His chilling words, “We are not afraid of death,” echo the sentiments of many bandit groups who are willing to fight on despite heavy losses.
