- Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has released a new video claiming responsibility for recent deadly ambushes on Nigerian security operatives across border communities in Sokoto and Zamfara states.
- The wanted kingpin stated that his armed group is open to peace negotiations with the government, but warned that his fighters remain fully prepared for continued armed confrontation if military operations persist.
- The video surfaced shortly after a suspected terrorist attack along the Isa–Bargaja corridor in Sokoto State, where an Improvised Explosive Device targeted security personnel, reportedly killing at least four soldiers.
A video featuring the notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has surfaced on social media, with the wanted terrorist leader claiming responsibility for recent violent attacks against security forces in the North-West region.
In the video, which was recorded in Hausa and carries the date June 20, 2026, the masked speaker appears alongside several heavily armed men dressed in military-style camouflage.
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Throughout the recording, Turji asserts that his faction carried out the operations as retaliation against individuals whom he accused of killing members of his community and illegally confiscating their livestock in various border towns.
The bandit leader specifically cited recent operational friction in localities such as Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Sabon Birni in Sokoto State, claiming that his fighters successfully repelled opposing forces and recovered stolen animals.
Beyond claiming responsibility for the recent violence, Turji used the video to deliver a conditional message to federal and state authorities regarding potential security deliberations.
He indicated that while his network is willing to enter into peace negotiations if the government chooses dialogue, they are equally prepared to sustain an armed campaign if the military continues to deploy force against his camps.
The circulation of the video follows a deadly security incident reported along the critical Isa–Bargaja axis within the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Local and security sources revealed that suspected terrorists loyal to Turji launched a well-coordinated ambush against security personnel who were actively responding to an emergency distress call in the area.
During the encounter, an Improvised Explosive Device was detonated against a patrol vehicle, which was subsequently set ablaze by the gunmen.
While independent sources state that at least four soldiers lost their lives in the blast, military authorities have yet to issue an official statement confirming the precise casualty figures from the confrontation.
Internal security sources have raised concerns regarding the incident, indicating that preliminary intelligence reports had previously warned of suspicious movements by armed groups along the Isa–Bargaja corridor before the ambush occurred.
This latest development comes amid verified intelligence reports detailing a surge in banditry across the border communities linking Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Satellite and local intelligence sources note that fighters loyal to Turji have been spotted conducting coordinated training exercises and gathering heavy weaponry in the dense forests of the region.
Although the video has generated significant engagement and concern across various digital platforms, Nigeria’s defense and security headquarters have not released an official reaction to Turji’s statements or his overtures for negotiation.
Security agencies continue to list Turji as one of the most wanted criminal operators in the country, tracking his involvement in high-profile kidnappings, mass killings, and widespread cattle rustling across the North-West geopolitical zone.
The expansion of his logistics and his explicit threats are expected to prompt renewed tactical reviews by the military commands tasked with restoring stability to the affected local government areas.
