In the video, the suspected bandit leader framed the attacks as retaliation against those he accused of targeting their livestock and killing members of their communities, claiming his men had confronted and killed those responsible.
A man suspected to be wanted bandit kingpin Bello Turji has claimed in a new video message that his fighters recently ambushed and killed security operatives and carried out cattle rustling operations across parts of northwestern Nigeria.
In the video, delivered in Hausa and seen by SaharaReporters, the man said his group had launched attacks against those he accused of seizing their livestock and killing what he described as "innocent" members of their communities across several local government areas in Zamfara, Sokoto and surrounding states.
The man, whose face was covered throughout the recording, appeared alongside armed men dressed in military camouflage, with sophisticated ammunition visible on the ground behind him. He said the video was recorded on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
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