Bandit Bello Turji threatens reprisals on villagers as he counters Nigerian military over arrests

Notorious terrorism leader Bello Turji has released a video threatening residents of communities in Zamfara and Sokoto States, following the recent arrest of several suspects by the Nigerian military. Turji, surrounded by armed men in the video released on Christmas Day, claimed the arrested individuals were elderly and innocent members of his ancestral community.

The Director of Media Operations for the Defence Headquarters, Major General Buba Edward, announced on December 20 that soldiers had apprehended three of Turji’s lieutenants—Bako Wurgi, Hamisu Sale (aka Master), and Abubakar Muhammad—during an operation.

Edward disclosed that Wurgi, who was linked to the murder of a Sokoto monarch, succumbed to gunshot wounds after providing valuable intelligence to support ongoing military operations.

However, Turji contested these claims, accusing the military of arresting the suspects in markets and hospitals rather than during a battle.

“The message is for the residents of Zamfara and Sokoto States, specifically, residents of Shinkafi, to release our brothers who are with them; otherwise, the year 2025 is going to be deadly for them with frequent kidnapping for ransom,” Turji declared.

Addressing General Edward, Turji added, “Edward Buba, look at the elderly people you arrested. They are above 75 years old. And look at me. I am 35 years old, and you said those people you arrested are my accomplices. Edward Buba, be mindful of what you are telling people. If you cannot go to the battlefield, go inside your room and rest and stop lying to the people.”

Turji also challenged the military to display the weapons allegedly seized during the operation, stating, “Display them to the people if you fought the battle with us. If you actually want to fight us, not our parents, you know where we are. Come, let us fight.”

He accused residents of Shinkafi, Isa, and Zurmi of providing intelligence to the military that led to the arrests, threatening deadly consequences for any town that defied his directives.

“We are calling on the residents of Shinkafi, Isa, Zurmi, and its environs in this coming year, 2025 if you don’t address those informants responsible for the killing of our brothers, you will face the consequences. You know we are killers, we know how to kill. You people see us as uncivilised; we also see you as such.

“Any town that fails to obey our directives, we are going to turn it into rubble,” Turji warned, pointing at dilapidated buildings near him as a demonstration of his threats.