By Auwal Isah Musa

Bello Turji, a notorious bandit commander who has long terrorised communities in Northwestern Nigeria, has declared his willingness to engage in peace talks with the Nigerian government in a bid to end the bloodshed and restore stability in the region.

Turji made this known in a video obtained by Taskar Labarai on Saturday, which has since gone viral across social media platforms. In the footage, the armed group leader called on the government to initiate dialogue aimed at halting the violence in Zamfara State and across the entire Northwest, allowing residents to return to their farms and rebuild their livelihoods.

He also urged fellow armed militants operating in other parts of the region to consider embracing peace initiatives in order to bring lasting calm to their communities.

However, Turji issued a stern warning, stating that if the government refuses to pursue peace, he and his group are fully armed and ready to continue their campaign of violence. He further accused the Nigerian military of launching indiscriminate air raids and attacks that, according to him, often affect innocent civilians rather than targeting the militants directly.

Despite these accusations, Turji reiterated his commitment to peace, stating that his group would observe a ceasefire for a period of two weeks to one month to give room for negotiations with the government.

His sudden call for dialogue comes amid intensified military operations in the region, with recent reports suggesting that Nigerian troops have made significant gains against insurgent camps. Analysts believe the mounting pressure may have prompted Turji to seek a peaceful resolution before he is cornered.

In a related development, reports from parts of Katsina State—including Dan-Musa, Batsari, and Jibia Local Government Areas—indicate a gradual return of peace. This follows recent peace arrangements reportedly initiated between local security authorities and bandit groups operating in the region.