North-West women urge bandit leader Bello Turji to surrender, praise military for operations
A non-partisan group, the North-West Women Development Forum (NWDF), has called on notorious bandit leader Bello Turji to lay down his arms and embrace peace, following the Nigerian military’s non-violent strategy to end conflicts in the region.
The appeal came on Friday in Abuja, after the women held prayers for peace in the North-West, across Nigeria, and for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The group also commended the military for killing Turji’s top aide, Kallamu Buzu, during an operation in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Buzu and several other fighters were reportedly killed by troops of the 8 Division and Sector 2 Joint Task Force under Operation Hadarin Daji.
NWDF Public Relations Officer Salamatu Bello said the prayers were meant to support the armed forces and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, as well as soldiers who lost their lives defending the nation. She urged Turji to surrender, warning, “We cannot continue like this. As mothers, we are happy with the quiet but firm way the military is handling these criminals. We appeal to Bello Turji to surrender before it is too late.”
The group’s statement followed reports that Turji was shaken by Buzu’s death and allegedly threatened revenge, blaming another lieutenant for mistakes during a failed attack on local traders.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and professional response. Governor Abubakar Tambuwal’s security aide, Ahmed Usman, commended the soldiers’ bravery, noting that their actions prevented a potential tragedy. He called on security personnel to maintain pressure on criminals in Sokoto State and across the North-West region.
