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Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has declared that his group is ready for either peace or war with the Nigerian government in a new video, claiming responsibility for recent attacks on security forces in northwestern Nigeria.
“We are ready for peace, but if they choose war, we are also ready. We will defend ourselves,” Turji said in the recording, which has circulated widely on social media.
The video, dated June 20, 2026, shows a masked speaker believed to be Turji flanked by armed men in military-style camouflage.
Speaking in Hausa, he accused security operatives of killing community members and confiscating livestock in areas including Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Sabon Birni in Sokoto State.
“Some people who are chasing away our livestock are killing our innocent brothers and sisters, people who have done nothing wrong, in places such as Shinkafi in Zamfara State, Sabon Birni in Sokoto State and other surrounding areas,” he said.
He added: “Allah granted us victory over these people who are carrying out these operations and driving away our livestock. We killed them. May Allah help us to succeed in defeating them and in recovering our animals from their hands.”
The bandit leader indicated a willingness to negotiate if the government chooses dialogue over military action.
“If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation. But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared. Our fighters are ready for whatever comes,” he said.
The video surfaced days after a deadly attack along the Isa–Bargaja axis in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where suspected Turji loyalists reportedly laid an ambush on security personnel responding to a distress call.
Local and security sources alleged that an Improvised Explosive Device detonated during the operation, killing at least four soldiers, although military authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualty figure.
The incident occurred near Bargaja village, a community that has witnessed increased terrorist activity in recent months. Following the explosion, gunmen engaged security forces while a security vehicle was reportedly set ablaze.
Turji remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted bandit leaders and has repeatedly been linked by security agencies to kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling and attacks across the North-West.
