Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader long sought by Nigerian authorities, has expressed his willingness to negotiate a surrender following the recent beheading of over 76 of his key associates, including prominent bandit commanders and kidnapping ring leaders.
This development comes amidst a sustained government crackdown that has significantly weakened criminal operations in the Northwest.
The push for surrender by Turji is seen as a direct result of intense pressure from security forces, spearheaded by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), both of which have undergone leadership restructuring.
The appointment of Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi as the Director-General of the DSS and Mohammed Mohammed as the head of the NIA in August 2024 has reinvigorated Nigeria’s efforts to combat banditry and terrorism, particularly in the volatile Northwest and North Central regions.
Since their appointments, Ajayi and Mohammed have led a series of aggressive operations against bandit camps, resulting in the deaths and arrests of several notorious figures within Turji’s network. Among those neutralised were Kachalla Lawali Dodo, Kachalla All Dan Oga, Kachalla Black, and Kachalla Sani Kwalba—key players in Turji’s operations. These losses have crippled Turji’s organisation, forcing him to reconsider his options as his influence continues to erode.
The security forces’ offensive, primarily psychological and intelligence-led, has disrupted the flow of arms and logistics to these criminal groups. For example, the arrest of notorious arms supplier Mallam Rabo Abdulkadir in Kaduna State, along with the seizure of multiple weapons and ammunition, has further destabilised bandit operations in the region.
Beyond Turji’s immediate network, the security forces have conducted successful raids across several states. In Kogi State, a significant base for terrorists operating in the North Central, camps of criminal kingpins like Kachalla Bala and Kachalla Shuaibu have been dismantled. Several of their operatives were killed, and a significant number of bandits, including logistics suppliers and informants, were captured.
Similar operations have been carried out in other zones. In Taraba State, five members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate were arrested with weapons, while in Borno State, a primary arms dealer was apprehended while transporting weapons to Jos, Plateau State. In the South East, a commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mathias Onyebuchi, was arrested for his role in the attack on a police checkpoint in Enugu.
The efforts to crack down on banditry have also reached the South-South and South West regions, where security forces have arrested militant and sea piracy syndicates, including figures in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Oyo States.
With the government’s renewed focus on uprooting banditry and related criminal activities, Turji’s call for negotiation is seen as a significant turning point. It reflects the mounting pressure on criminal groups as the federal government continues to tighten its grip, making it increasingly difficult for these elements to operate freely across Nigeria.
