The Arewa Elders Progressive Group has called on President Bola Tinubu against reconciling with a notorious bandit, Bello Turji, and his cohorts terrorising the North West of the country.
The group said they are against any attempt by the Federal Government to reconcile with Turji and his terror gang members.
In a press statement in Kaduna on Thursday, the group’s North West Chairman, Mustafa Dutsin Ma, argued that Bello Turji’s alleged willingness to reconcile was merely a ploy, given the numerous lives lost to his gang’s banditry in the region.
The group commended the ongoing military operations in the North but emphasised that reconciling with perpetrators of heinous crimes would undermine the government’s efforts to combat banditry and betray public trust.
They also demanded justice for victims and their families who had suffered over the years from the activities of the hoodlums, stressing that accountability was crucial.
The group stated, “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.
“We commend the efforts of the military operations going on so far in some villages of Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Jibia in Katsina, especially air and ground attacks be sustained 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.
“The primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the security and safety of its citizens. We urge President Tinubu to prioritise 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.”
