In a surprising development, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has requested negotiations for surrender. The move comes after a series of successful operations by Nigerian security forces, which have decimated his ranks. These operations, led by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), have eliminated at least 76 bandit commanders and key allies of Turji.
The intensified offensive against banditry follows the restructuring of Nigeria’s intelligence agencies under President Bola Tinubu, with the appointment of Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi and Mr. Mohammed Mohammed as the new heads of the DSS and NIA. Their leadership has led to significant disruptions in the communication and operational networks of bandits in the North West and North Central regions.
Among the notable operations, several high-profile bandits, including Kachalla Lawali Dodo, Kachalla All Dan Oga, Kachalla Black, and Kachalla Sani Kwalba, have been neutralized. Security forces have also intercepted large arms caches and dismantled critical terrorist camps in states such as Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger.
The DSS’s new intelligence-driven strategies have weakened Turji’s influence, pushing him to seek negotiations as his operational capabilities dwindle. While the government has not yet confirmed whether they will engage in talks with Turji, the ongoing offensive indicates that Nigerian security forces are making considerable inroads into bandit-held territories.
With intensified pressure from the government, bandits and other criminal elements appear increasingly cornered, raising hopes for a reduction in violence in the region.
