Bello Turji

Bello Turji Kachalla popularly known as Turji, (born 1994) is a notorious Nigerian terrorist and bandit leader who is operating in Northern Nigeria, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger state. Turji led a bandit gang on 2022 Zamfara massacres, almost 200 people including women and children were killed.

Early life
Turji was born in Shinkafi local government of Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria. Turji was raised as a Fulani cattle herder without education. Turji claims that some of his family's cattle were stolen by a pro-security forces vigilante group called the Yan Sakai who also murdered six of Turji's siblings. Turji also claims his father tried to sue the Emir of Zurmi (to whom the stolen cattle were given) but his efforts failed, and that the Yan Sakai killed his uncle. Turji told the Daily Trust in an interview that this had prompted him to take up arms.

Career
Bello Turji is known to have been responsible for numerous massacres and terrorist attacks against civilians and security forces in the North West region of the country, especially Zamfara and Sokoto State.

In September 2021, the Yan Sakai attacked a mosque in Gwadabawa, killing eleven people. Turji responded by leading his bandits towards a market in Goronyo, Sokoto State. The bandits entered the bazaar and opened fire, killing at least 50 to over 60 civilians. In December 2021, Turji's forces attacked a bus in Sabon Birni, setting it on fire and burning the passengers inside to death. 30 people died in the ambush. Turji was the mastermind behind the slaughter of over 200 people in Zamfara state in January 2022.

He is a rival of another bandit leader named Dogo Giɗe.

Personal life
Turji believes that Fulani people are being subjected to genocide in Nigeria, and has justified his actions as being reprisals against attacks on Fulani bandits and civilians. Bello Turji believes the security issues in Nigeria have been politicized and that the government is not treating the ethnic groups in the country equally. He stressed that even the media discriminates against the Fulanis and never reports the killing of innocent Fulanis. He claimed that all he wants is peace to reign in the country.

Public image
Bello Turji is one of the best-known Nigerian bandits and enjoys a heavy amount of publicity from the media. A Hausa-language song surfaced online depicting a man singing while chanting women in the background describing the bandit as a "hero among heroes."