Bandit kingpins Bello Turji and Kachalla Baleri have denied claims by Nigerien authorities that Baleri was arrested during Operation Faraoutar Bushiya on May 28.
In a newly surfaced video, Turji directly addressed the purported arrest, challenging the reports and asserting Baleri’s continued freedom.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Thursday, shows Turji and Baleri flanked by their followers, all armed with rifles.
Turji declares, “They said they caught and killed Baleri… here he is!” Baleri, reinforcing Turji’s claim, states, “Only God can bring an end to my life.”
Turji accused the governments of Niger Republic and Nigeria of wrongfully capturing and killing innocent citizens, describing the claims of Baleri’s arrest as “shameful information.”
He demanded the release of those he described as innocent people detained as bandits, insisting they are merely herders and farmers.
“You claimed you killed Baleri or captured him. This is Baleri. Here he is if you want to apprehend him,” Turji said defiantly, further complicating the narrative surrounding the ongoing operations against banditry in the region.