UMVA has learned that Bello Turji, a notorious Fulani warlord, continues to wreak havoc across northwestern Nigeria, commanding over 1,000 fighters and evading Nigerian military operations, U.S. airstrikes, and multiple manhunts.
For nearly a decade, Turji has carried out mass kidnappings, extortion, and massacres, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. His reign of terror has been marked by brazen attacks on communities, with his fighters demanding hefty protection fees from farmers and unleashing violence on those who refuse to pay.
On June 20, 2026, Turji released a video celebrating the killing of soldiers after terrorists attacked the Bargaja community in Sokoto State. In the chilling footage, he boasted, "God willing, Allah has granted us victory over those who have been rustling our livestock and killing our innocent brothers."
Turji's rhetoric took a surprising turn when he addressed the possibility of peace talks, stating, "If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation. But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared." This ominous warning underscores the complexity of Turji's character and the gravity of the situation.
The following day, a Nigerian Army patrol was ambushed near Bargaja using a roadside IED, resulting in the reported deaths of at least four soldiers. Meanwhile, Turji's loyalists, including associates Illa Manawa and Dodo, were conducting weapons training and tactical drills along the Sokoto-Zamfara border corridor.
Intelligence coordinator Basharu Altine warned that coordinated attacks may be planned against local government headquarters before the peak of the rainy season. This latest escalation marks a disturbing chapter in nearly a decade of organized violence by one of Nigeria's most wanted men.
Turji's rise to notoriety began in the pastoral Fulani settlements of the Shinkafi community in Zamfara State, where he became a champion among Fulani youths due to his hostility toward tribes and groups he believed looked down on the Fulani and their cattle. His mentorship by senior bandit commanders Halilu Subutu and Shehu Rekeb further solidified his position as a formidable force.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Turji's network is undergoing a significant rearmament and expansion, with fighters conducting military-style drills and weapons training. The equipment delivered to their camps includes night-vision devices, and newly recruited fighters with advanced combat experience have been brought in to reinforce the network.
Turji's operations are systematic and expansive, with over 1,000 fighters at his disposal. He is among approximately 30,000 radicalized bandits who have wrecked the agricultural economy of Nigeria's northwestern states by forcing farmers into paying protection fees.
His record of violence is extensive, with numerous attacks on communities, kidnappings, and killings. Despite multiple military operations and a hefty bounty on his head, Turji remains at large, continuing to pose a significant threat to regional stability.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Turji's defiance has led to a massive manhunt, with the Nigerian government issuing multiple designations and military directives against him. The stakes are high, and the situation remains volatile, with Turji's next move uncertain.
