Nigeria's military authorities have dismissed claims suggesting that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has laid down his arms.

Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, who oversees Defence Media Operations, debunked the claims during a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, outlining recent military operations.

“Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji; Turji has not surrendered, we are still on the look out for him,” he said.

Turji, known as a notorious bandit chief active primarily across Zamfara and Sokoto, has been implicated in orchestrating multiple assaults on local communities in Nigeria's North-West region.

However, recent developments suggest he may have laid down his weapons and freed 32 individuals he had previously kidnapped, following a peace process facilitated by Islamic religious leaders in Zamfara State.

More details later...

ASA