Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has declared that his group is prepared for either peace negotiations or continued armed confrontation with the Nigerian government, a statement that has reignited debate over the country’s approach to tackling banditry and insecurity in the North West.
According to reports that surfaced on Sunday, Turji said his fighters were willing to engage in dialogue if the government was genuinely interested in ending the violence. However, he warned that they were equally prepared to continue fighting if military operations persisted against them.
In the statement attributed to him, Turji said:
“If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation. But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared.”
He further claimed that his fighters would not back down from confrontation if military pressure continued, insisting they were ready for “whatever comes.”
This is not the first time Turji has publicly spoken about negotiations with government authorities.
Over the past two years, he has repeatedly claimed that discussions have taken place between his group and government representatives at different levels. In previous interviews and videos, he acknowledged participating in peace talks, particularly during the administration of former Zamfara State governor Bello Matawalle, while denying reports that he received financial rewards from such negotiations.
Turji has also alleged that efforts at dialogue were intended to restore peace in parts of Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Turji is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit leaders and has been linked to numerous attacks, kidnappings, killings and mass displacements across Zamfara, Sokoto and other North Western states. He has remained a key target of military operations for years.
Security analysts describe him as one of the most influential figures in the bandit conflict due to the size of his network and his ability to coordinate attacks across multiple communities.
Turji’s latest remarks come despite ongoing military offensives against his network.
Earlier this year, Nigerian troops recorded several operations targeting fighters linked to him in Zamfara and Sokoto states. Security forces reported neutralising several bandits and disrupting some of his strongholds.
In December 2025, reports also indicated that one of Turji’s top lieutenants was killed during a military ambush, an operation that reportedly dealt a significant blow to his network.
Turji’s latest statement is likely to revive discussions about whether governments should negotiate with bandits or continue relying primarily on military force.
While some security experts argue that dialogue can help reduce violence and secure the release of kidnapped victims, others insist that negotiations risk legitimising criminal groups and encouraging further attacks. Previous peace deals in parts of the North West have produced mixed results, with several collapsing amid renewed violence.
For now, neither the Federal Government nor security agencies have publicly responded to Turji’s latest comments.
However, his declaration comes at a time when authorities continue to intensify operations against bandit groups across the North West, while communities affected by years of violence remain hopeful for a lasting solution to the insecurity crisis.
