The North-West Women Development Forum ( NWDF ) has appealed to bandit leader Bello Turji to surrender his weapons and embrace peace, stressing the need for stability in the region.
Members of the forum converged in Abuja on Friday for a special prayer session dedicated to the North-West, the nation, and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The gathering, held under the NWDF’s banner, also expressed appreciation to the military for neutralising Turji’s key lieutenant, KallamuBuzu, in Sokoto’s Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Buzu, along with several others, was killed in an operation carried out by troops of the 8 Division and Sector 2 Joint Task Force of Operation Hadarin Daji. According to reports, the development has deeply unsettled Turji, who has allegedly threatened retaliation and blamed another aide for the operational lapses that preceded Buzu’s death following a botched attack on traders in Sabon Birni.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, NWDFspokesperson Salamatu Bello said residents of the region are encouraged by the Armed Forces’ ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks.
She noted that the women gathered to seek divine intervention for peace and to pray for the country and its security forces. According to her, “We cannot continue like this. We have come here to pray for our region, the entire country and the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the able Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. We are also praying for repose of souls of our troops who are making sacrifices for our country.
“We are happy the quiet way the CDS and his troops are putting the bandits and terrorists where they belong. As mothers, we appeal to Bello Turji to surrender before it is too late.”
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has applauded the Armed Forces for what it described as another major milestone in the ongoing campaign against banditry in the state.
Ahmed Usman, the governor’s security aide, commended the professionalism and swift action of troops, noting that their intervention prevented what could have been a serious tragedy and reaffirmed their dedication to safeguarding communities.
“The State Government deeply appreciates this effort and acknowledges the consistent sacrifices being made by our security forces.
“We encourage them to sustain the momentum and intensify operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements not only from Sokoto State but also from the entire North-West subregion,” Mr Usman said.
