Amid mounting setbacks and the loss of his most trusted field commander, notorious North West terror leader Bello Turji is reportedly reaching out to initiate peace talks, credible security and local sources have revealed.
Turji, long regarded as one of Nigeria’s most wanted and deadly insurgents, is said to be proposing dialogue with authorities from Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina States — a move believed to be triggered by the recent death of his cousin and key operational ally, Kachalla Yellow Danbokolo.
Danbokolo, who played a central role in the Turji-led network, was eliminated during a joint offensive by the Department of State Services (DSS) and HYBRID Forces in the Chida area of Fakai District, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on June 23. He succumbed to his injuries three days later after multiple failed evacuation attempts by his fighters across various remote villages.
Sources familiar with the insurgent hierarchy describe Danbokolo as the operational backbone of the Turji group, overseeing logistics, field combat, and the enforcement of their grip on vast forested regions of the North West. His loss, they say, has left Turji vulnerable and exposed.
“Turji may have been the name everyone knew, but it was Danbokolo who wielded the real influence on the ground,” a security informant explained. “He planned the attacks, mobilised fighters, and ran the entire war machine. Without him, Turji has lost his teeth.”
In light of this sudden power vacuum, Turji is allegedly calling for a strategic meeting with other armed factions to explore the possibility of negotiating a truce with the government — a surprising twist from someone known for rejecting previous peace overtures.
However, security experts and officials are urging caution. They warn that Turji’s sudden shift could be a calculated move to buy time, rebuild his network, or avoid targeted strikes in the wake of recent operations that have left his group fractured.
“There is nothing repentant about Turji,” one security analyst emphasized. “This is a man responsible for years of bloodshed, mass kidnappings, extortion, and terror in the North West. If he’s asking for peace now, it’s because he’s losing. The government should not fall for it.”
Although no official confirmation has been issued by the DSS or any state government regarding Turji’s reported overtures, security stakeholders are monitoring the development closely. Some believe any future engagement with Turji should be approached with extreme skepticism — if not outright rejection.
“Dialogue should not be a path to immunity for someone with such a brutal track record,” a government insider said. “The focus should remain on dismantling what’s left of his network and ensuring justice for his victims.”
The unfolding situation signals a potentially pivotal moment in the fight against rural banditry and terrorism in Northern Nigeria. Whether Turji’s reported peace plea is genuine or merely a desperate attempt to stay relevant, security agencies are under pressure to respond wisely — and decisively.
Source:@Zagazola Makama
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