Sokoto and Zamfara Residents Reject Peace Talks, Cite Lack of Trust in Turji

Communities in Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State, along with parts of Shinkafi in Zamfara, have rejected calls to hold peace talks with notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.

The rejection came after Prof. Abubakar Usman Ribah appealed for renewed dialogue as a means to restore stability in the North-West region.

In a Wednesday statement, the residents, describing themselves as direct victims of Turji’s violence, insisted that any peace initiative must prioritize justice and address the plight of displaced persons.

They recalled Turji’s group has attacked at least 89 villages in the Sabon Birni–Isa area over the past 13 years, causing mass killings, abductions, displacement of two-thirds of the population into Niger Republic, arson, cattle rustling, extortion, and sexual violence.

Criticizing previous government-led peace efforts, they said such attempts only emboldened Turji, who continues to terrorize their communities.

The residents questioned whether traditional and displaced leaders were consulted before advocating reconciliation and emphasized that while peace (sulhu) is valued in Islam, it cannot come at the cost of repeated suffering.

“We have suffered too many losses. Our communities have no trust left in Turji,” they concluded.