DHQ Denies Bello Turji’s Surrender, Dismisses Claims of Peace Deal with Bandits

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted reports that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji surrendered as part of a peace agreement brokered by Islamic clerics in Zamfara State.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that Turji remains at large and is still being pursued by security forces.

“Bello Turji has not surrendered. We are actively tracking him and are unaware of any deal involving clerics,” Kangye stated.

Turji, who operates mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto states, is linked to multiple deadly attacks in the North-West.

Last month, a group of Northern Islamic clerics, led by Sheikh Musa Yusuf (Asadus-Sunnah), claimed they met with Turji and other armed leaders in Fakai forest, Shinkafi LGA.

The clerics asserted that the July discussions led to the release of 32 kidnap victims, the surrender of some weapons, and an agreement to allow farmers safer access to their lands.

The mediation reportedly involved other bandit leaders, including Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila, with Yusuf insisting a temporary peace deal was reached.

However, the DHQ dismissed these claims, stating they were unverified and not part of any official government negotiation.

Kangye also addressed Amnesty International’s allegations of military extrajudicial killings in the Southeast, calling them unfounded.

“The military is not involved in any extrajudicial killings. Not every online video or claim reflects the truth,” he emphasized.

Regarding recent protests by retired military personnel, Kangye noted that only a small group was involved and that the Military Pensions Board, DHQ, and the Finance Minister had engaged with the veterans to resolve their grievances.

Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, added that the Chief of Defence Staff recently met with a Ministry of Defence committee to improve veterans’ welfare.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts