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Doubts trail dialogue with Bello Turji despite release of 32 captives
Doubts trail dialogue with Bello Turji despite release of 32 captives
By: Zagazola Makama
The recent release of 32 kidnapped victims by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, following behind-the-scenes dialogue with Islamic clerics and representatives of federal authorities, has triggered cautious reactions and deep scepticism from stakeholders in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara State long considered the epicentre of Nigeria’s banditry crisis.
Though the development has been hailed by some as a potential opening for peace, others see it as déjà vu, a replay of failed dialogue attempts that emboldened criminal elements and undermined justice for thousands of victims across rural communities in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi States.
One of the most vocal critics is Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, a prominent political leader in Shinkafi LGA and former Chairman of the Zamfara State Committee on Prosecution of Banditry-Related Offences.
Speaking in a monitored programme on Tuesday, Shinkafi rejected the peace overtures with Turji, describing them as “unsustainable and morally indefensible,” citing past betrayals and the broader scale of insecurity that extends beyond a single warlord.
According to Shinkafi, the latest round of engagements with Turji was facilitated not just by local clerics but included emissaries from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Intelligence and Security, Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
“These meetings reportedly happened about three times in July in Turji’s hideout,” Shinkafi disclosed, adding that though 32 victims were released, the process lacked transparency and structure. Where were these victims taken after release? Was the traditional protocol followed Emir’s palace, state government, medical evaluation? Nothing of such was done,” he queried.
Observers note that peace dialogues with bandit leaders are not new to Zamfara. Under former governors Abdul’aziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, multiple deals were initiated particularly through the efforts of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. Each time, initial gains in the form of temporary ceasefires or prisoner swaps were followed by renewed violence, extortion, and further territorial expansion by criminal groups.
“This is the irony of the latest ‘peace talk’,” Shinkafi said. “We’ve seen this before, and each time we empower these criminals further.”
He added that making peace with Turji ignores the broader network of armed actors operating across the region, including Mallam Ila, Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Sani Black, Dogo Gide and others.
“Sani Black recently demanded ransom payment in gold not naira from Zumi communities. What peace are we talking about when over 40 local governments across the North-West are under siege?”he said.
He argued that one major concern is the narrow focus of the dialogue. While Turji remains one of the most prominent warlords operating in Sokoto and Zamfara’s eastern axis, other factions continue to abduct, kill, and extort villagers.
Communities such as Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Issa, Kamarawa, Bafarawa, and Gatawa in Sokoto East remain under persistent attack, with dozens of hostages still in captivity. Just days ago, in Sabon Garin Damri (Bakura LGA), 70 people were reportedly kidnapped, with 11 confirmed dead.
Shinkafi argued that peace talks with a single actor like Turji, no matter how well-intentioned risk creating a perception of state weakness and selective negotiation.
“Even if Turji releases 32 victims with very fee arms and ammunitions, what about the rest? What about the others he didn’t release? What about the commanders who didn’t sit at the table?” he asked.
Malam Ibrahim Issa, another activist, said Dogo Gide recently claimed that he has seized fire in Kaduna state, but his boyz recently carried out attack on Nigerian army troops in Niger and few days later, he carried out another attack in Kebbi state.
“Likewise Yellow Jambros, who also surrendered in Kaduna and stopped hostilities in Katsina but he men are still attack Plateau and Benue state,”he said.
Banditry without ideology
Shinkafi further argued that unlike Niger Delta militants, who were driven by environmental degradation and resource control, the North East insurgents driven by religious ideologies, the North-West’s bandits are not guided by ideology or political grievances.
“These men are building a criminal enterprise. They extort farmers, kidnap schoolchildren, kill villagers, and run illegal mining operations. What ideology are they promoting?” he asked.
He said Turji’s sudden interest in peace is likely tactical to regroup, seek legitimacy, or avoid military pressure.
While the release of any kidnapped person should be welcomed, experts warn that fragmented negotiations, especially those lacking legal oversight and accountability, may set dangerous precedents.
“There must be a coordinated national framework for any engagement. Anything short of this is appeasement,” said a retired senior intelligence officer who declined to be named.
In the meantime, voices like Shinkafi’s are pushing for a more resolute military and judicial approach to end the cycle of violence and impunity.
“The only peace worth having is one anchored on justice, disarmament, and state authority,” he said.
Another layer of complication is the apparent lack of coordination with the Zamfara State Government. Governor Dauda Lawal, elected on a reformist platform, has publicly distanced himself from any peace overture with criminal elements.
“Governor Lawal is not part of this. He has maintained a clear position that no dialogue will be held with armed bandits unless they lay down their weapons unconditionally,” a senior government source told Zagazola.
Most of the bandits are not ready to lay down their arms. And even if they do, they are not willing to surrender themselves to the government for any form of rehabilitation. Most of the fulani bandits have large livestock and families too. Where do you want to keep them when you decide to confined them to a rehabilitation camp. What are you rehabilitating them for?
This policy divergence between federal-backed actors and the state government risks undermining a coherent security strategy and emboldening factions looking to exploit disunity between security stakeholders.
Doubts trail dialogue with Bello Turji despite release of 32 captives
KACRAN Appeals for Resolution of Diplomatic Tensions Between Nigeria and Niger
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Republic of Niger to resolve ongoing diplomatic tensions through dialogue and mutual understanding.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National President, Hon. Khalil Bello, the association urged both countries to restore their long-standing relationship, stressing that Nigeria and Niger share deep historical, cultural and economic ties that predate colonial boundaries.
KACRAN highlighted that the two nations are connected by an extensive border stretching over 1,600 kilometres, linking Niger with several northern Nigerian states, noting that communities across the border share common ethnic identities, languages and religious beliefs, with many families divided between both countries.
The group noted that these close social connections were a major reason many residents of Northern Nigeria expressed opposition to any form of military action against Niger following the recent political changes in the country.
Beyond social ties, KACRAN emphasized the existence of strong economic interdependence between the two neighbours. It stated that Nigerian markets, especially in Kano and border towns, serve as major commercial hubs for Nigerien traders, while Nigerian business activities are also prominent within Niger.
The association warned that the current strain in diplomatic relations is having a negative impact on trade and pastoral livelihoods. It explained that seasonal livestock migration, particularly by herders from states such as Yobe who move into Niger during the rainy season to avoid farmland conflicts, has been disrupted. This disruption, KACRAN said, affected livestock supply during the recent Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
KACRAN also stressed the need for joint security efforts, noting that challenges such as insurgency and banditry affect both countries and require coordinated action rather than isolation.
Calling for restraint, the association urged Nigeria, Niger and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation. It maintained that peaceful engagement remains the most effective path to stability, economic growth and regional security.
The group appealed to leaders in the sub-region to place the welfare of citizens above political disagreements and preserve the spirit of cooperation that has long defined Nigeria-Niger relations.
KACRAN Appeals for Resolution of Diplomatic Tensions Between Nigeria and Niger
Army troops foil bandits’ attack on anyagba village in benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled a planned attack by armed bandits on Anyagba village in Benue State, neutralising one assailant and recovering a firearm and ammunition.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the joint team,comprising Army, PMF elements and state-backed civil protection guards, was alerted at about 4:00 p.m. to the movement of armed bandits toward Anyagba community, apparently with intent to launch an attack.
“The troops mobilised immediately toward the Utange axis where the bandits were sighted,” the source said.
“On sighting the joint team, the bandits opened fire, leading to a brief exchange. One suspect was fatally wounded during the encounter and later died while being evacuated for medical attention.”
The source said the corpse was deposited at a morgue, while the remaining suspects fled into nearby bushes.
Items recovered at the scene include one AK-47 rifle with breech number 22446, two magazines, three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and several expended shells.
“No casualty was recorded on the side of the joint forces,” the source added.
Following the incident, troops intensified combing operations in surrounding bushes to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a related development along the Katsina-Ala axis, a patrol team on stop-and-search duty recovered a locally fabricated pistol and a cartridge from a bag abandoned by a suspect who escaped on sighting the troops.
The military urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to security agencies to help prevent attacks and protect communities across the state.
Army troops foil bandits’ attack on anyagba village in benue
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that five persons were killed and several others abducted in a deadly attack on a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede Highway near a military checkpoint in the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
According to the source, an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa State registration number HJA 687 YD, conveying passengers from Abuja to Ilesha, was riddled with bullets during the attack.
“Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” the source said.
The sources added that one of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with gunshot wounds and rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obajana was said to have mobilised joint security teams to the area for assessment and rescue operations.
Further bush-combing and intelligence-led operations later led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers. They were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah.
Some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.
The police said about four passengers from the bus are still unaccounted for.
The sources Investigation has commenced, while strategies for further rescue operations and the arrest of the perpetrators are being intensified.
The command assured residents and road users of its commitment to restore safety along the highway and bring the attackers to justice.
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
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