Zamfara Gov Confident: Notorious Bandit Leader Bello Turji’s Days are Numbered

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has expressed confidence that the reign of terror imposed by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, will soon be over. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor assured the public that Turji’s capture or elimination is imminent.

Governor Lawal emphasized the ongoing collaboration between the Zamfara State government, federal authorities, and security agencies as part of a concerted effort to dismantle bandit operations in the region. “With what we have in place, with the collaboration between us and the Federal Government, and security agencies, believe me, it is only a matter of time; Turji will be killed very, very soon,” Lawal stated with firm conviction.

The governor’s remarks come on the heels of a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry in Zamfara and neighboring states. Just days earlier, security forces successfully neutralized another high-profile bandit leader, Halilu Sububu, who had been terrorizing communities across Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of the North-West. Sububu, along with over 30 of his cohorts, was killed during a military operation last week.

Bello Turji, like Sububu, has long been a key figure in the escalating violence plaguing the region. His capture or death would represent another critical victory in the ongoing struggle to restore peace and stability to Zamfara and its environs, where banditry has wreaked havoc on local communities, displacing thousands and causing widespread insecurity.

Governor Lawal’s comments reflect a growing optimism within the state’s leadership that these violent insurgent groups can and will be defeated. However, while the recent gains are a positive sign, the governor acknowledged that continued cooperation between state, federal, and security forces is essential to achieving lasting peace in the region.