526
By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has debunked reports that notorious bandit, Bello Turji, has surrendered to the Nigerian military, amid claims by prominent Islamic clerics that the terrorist commander recently entered into a peace agreement and released hostages.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made it clear that the military was not part of any negotiations and has no record of Turji’s formal surrender.
“Contrary to circulating reports, Turji has not surrendered to the military. We are aware of certain local peace efforts, but these are outside the official framework,” Kangye stated.
The clarification comes after respected Islamic cleric, Sheikh Musa Yusuf, popularly known as Asadus-Sunnah told worshippers during a religious gathering in Kaduna on Monday that Turji had recently released 32 kidnapped victims and handed over a cache of weapons to clerics as part of a peace initiative.
According to Sheikh Yusuf, the release followed three separate meetings held in July with Turji and his key lieutenants Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila within the Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He explained that the freed hostages included women and children, some of whom had spent up to four months in captivity. One woman reportedly gave birth while in detention, while another suffered a snakebite.
The cleric also revealed that the terrorists surrendered arms in three phases to signal commitment to the peace process. As part of the agreement, farmers in the Shinkafi area have reportedly been allowed to return to their farmlands without fear, while Fulani residents were assured of protection from vigilante attacks or profiling.
“Our objective is gradual disarmament and lasting dialogue. Attacking Turji on social media could derail this fragile peace,” Sheikh Yusuf warned, urging caution in public commentary about the development.
He added that a full disarmament was not requested from Turji in order to avoid leaving him vulnerable to rival armed factions who are not part of the peace talks.
While the military distances itself from the reported deal, Kangye reiterated the armed forces’ commitment to ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the North West, emphasizing that any form of negotiation must follow official security channels.