The Arewa Elders Progressive Group has called on President Bola Tinubu to refrain from reconciling with notorious bandit Bello Turji and his cohorts, who have been terrorizing the northwest region of Nigeria.
In a press statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday, the group’s North-West Chairman, Alhaji Mustafa Dutsin Ma, expressed strong opposition to any attempts by the Federal Government to engage in reconciliation with Turji and his gang members. The group argued that Turji’s alleged willingness to negotiate is merely a deceptive tactic, given the countless lives lost due to his gang’s banditry.
The Arewa Elders commended the ongoing military operations in the North but emphasized that reconciling with individuals responsible for heinous crimes would undermine the government’s efforts to combat banditry and betray public trust.
The statement read: “Turji’s hands are stained with the blood of innocent citizens; he has caused immense suffering and destruction in North-West Nigeria. Reconciling with him would be a slap in the face of his victims and their families.”
The group praised the military’s efforts in conducting operations in villages of Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Jibia in Katsina, particularly highlighting the importance of sustaining air and ground attacks for effective results.
“Reconciling with those who have perpetrated heinous crimes without holding them accountable would be a miscarriage of justice and a disservice to the nation,” they added.
The group reiterated that the primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the security and safety of its citizens. They urged President Tinubu to prioritize this responsibility and avoid any actions that may compromise it.
“Anything less would be a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust. We demand justice for the victims and their families; those responsible for banditry must face the full weight of the law,” the statement concluded.