Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has resurfaced in a new video, claiming responsibility for recent attacks on security personnel and renewing calls for negotiations with the Nigerian government.
In the footage reportedly recorded on June 20, 2026, Turji alleged that fighters under his command carried out attacks against security forces operating in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states. He specifically referenced an ambush in the Isa area of Sokoto State that reportedly left at least two soldiers dead, though authorities have yet to publicly verify all of his claims.
During the video, Turji accused security operatives of targeting civilians and confiscating livestock during military operations in communities across the northwest. He argued that such actions have worsened tensions between local populations and security forces.
The bandit leader then issued what many observers described as a direct ultimatum, stating that authorities must either pursue dialogue with armed groups or prepare for continued violence across the region.
Turji remains one of the most wanted figures linked to banditry in northwestern Nigeria. For years, his network has been associated with kidnappings, village raids, cattle rustling, and attacks on security personnel, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and neighboring states.
His latest remarks come despite ongoing military offensives aimed at dismantling bandit camps and disrupting criminal networks operating in forests across the region. Security agencies have repeatedly insisted that military pressure on armed groups will continue, while many Nigerians remain divided over whether negotiations should play any role in ending the crisis.
The video has generated fresh reactions online, with some residents expressing frustration over the prolonged insecurity affecting farming communities, schools, and major highways. Others questioned how Turji continues to release public messages despite years of security operations targeting his network.
