Communities in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, and parts of Shinkafi in Zamfara, have rejected calls for dialogue with bandit leader, Bello Turji.
Their position followed an appeal by Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah, who urged renewed peace talks with Turji and his fighters as a step toward restoring stability in the North-West.
In a statement on Wednesday, the residents described themselves as “direct victims” of Turji’s violence, insisting they would not accept peace initiatives that ignore justice and the plight of displaced persons.
They recalled that Turji’s group had attacked at least 89 villages in the Sabon Birni–Isa axis in the last 13 years, killing many, abducting hundreds for ransom and displacing over two-thirds of the population into Niger Republic.
The statement accused Turji’s fighters of atrocities including mass killings, arson, cattle rustling, abductions, extortion and sexual violence.
The residents also criticised past government-backed peace efforts, which they said failed to stop Turji despite financial inducements, provision of livestock feed and even construction of houses in his Fakai base.
“Every attempt at dialogue only emboldened him. Bello Turji continues to torment our people. Forcing us into another round of fruitless peace is unacceptable,” they said.
They also questioned whether Prof. Ribah consulted traditional rulers or displaced leaders before canvassing reconciliation with the warlord.
“Sulhu (peace) is desirable in Islam, but no believer is compelled to put his hand twice into the same pit. We have suffered too many losses. Our communities have no trust left in Turji,” the statement added.