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Northern Elders Urge Tinubu to Reject Bandit Leader’s Reconciliation Bid
In light of a recent video reportedly showing bandit leader Bello Turji seeking reconciliation with the Federal Government, northern elders have urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard these overtures.
Alhaji Mustafa Dutsinma, the Northwest chairman of the Arewa Elders Progressive Group, issued a stern warning against entertaining any form of reconciliation with individuals linked to banditry.
In a statement released from Kaduna on Thursday, Dutsinma expressed concerns that such a move would undermine the ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
He highlighted the current positive sentiment among the public, who are increasingly supportive of the military’s efforts in the region.
Dutsinma criticized Turji’s purported attempt at reconciliation as a mere facade, given the extensive history of violence and loss attributed to him and his group over recent years.
“Recent reports suggest that President Tinubu is contemplating a reconciliation with notorious bandit Turji and his allies,” Dutsinma said.
“We strongly advise against this approach as it risks setting a dangerous precedent and compromising the government’s battle against banditry.”
He emphasized that any attempt to reconcile with those responsible for heinous crimes would be a betrayal of public trust and justice.
Dutsinma praised the military’s ongoing operations, particularly in Shinkafi and Jibia, and called for the continuation of these efforts to ensure effective results.
Furthermore, he condemned the idea of negotiating with bandits as a disrespect to the victims and their families who have endured significant suffering.
Dutsinma also acknowledged the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing banditry, noting the recent deployment of key military and defence officials to the affected areas.
The elders’ stance underscores the critical need to maintain a firm approach against banditry and uphold justice for those who have been affected by the violence.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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