Nigerian Army gives update on notorious terrorist Bello Turji

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports claiming that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has surrendered, stating that the military is still actively searching for him.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, confirmed the clarification at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

“Bello Turji has not surrendered. We are still looking for him,” Gen. Kangye said in response to journalists’ questions.

The rumours emerged after prominent Islamic scholar Musa Yusuf, also known as Asadus-Sunnah, announced at a religious gathering in Kaduna that Turji had reportedly surrendered. Yusuf claimed that multiple mediation sessions between clerics and Turji’s faction in Fakai Forest, Shinkafi Local Government, led to the breakthrough.

According to Yusuf, the peace initiative was prompted by appeals from local residents seeking safe access to their farmlands amid rising insecurity. He stated that three rounds of talks were held in July with Turji and other key militia figures, including Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila.

“There had been rumours that Dan Bakkolo was killed, but we met him and others in person. They accepted the peace proposal and surrendered some arms in three phases to demonstrate commitment. They also released 32 hostages, including women and children, who had spent nearly four months in captivity,” Yusuf said.

The DHQ, however, maintains that Turji remains at large and urged the public to disregard any claims of his surrender.