Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji
Turji: I Took Part in Zamfara Peace Talks, But Never Collected ₦30 Million
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has confirmed that he took part in a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the administration of former governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, but strongly denied claims that he received ₦30 million or any material inducement.
The denial comes after Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator, alleged in a viral video that Turji and other bandit leaders met with state officials at the Government House in Gusau, where cash and vehicles were allegedly distributed. Kamarawa claimed Turji collected ₦30 million during the negotiations.
In a separate video widely circulated online, Turji dismissed the allegations as false, insisting the peace talks were solely aimed at reducing violence and restoring security in Zamfara, with no personal financial gain involved.
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“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira,” Turji said. “We were never given the ₦30 million you are talking about.” He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiations and spreading “false and malicious testimony.”
Turji further blamed past political leadership in Zamfara and Sokoto states for laying the foundation of insecurity in the region. He alleged former governors Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto) and Ahmed Sani Yerima (Zamfara) armed vigilante groups, known as ‘Yan Banga’, which he claimed disproportionately targeted Fulani communities. He called for their arrest and investigation.
The bandit leader emphasized that he is not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians. There is no human being backing us,” Turji said, asserting that he speaks “before Allah alone.”
Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies continue to classify him as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders in the North-West, and the military has previously declared him wanted for terror-related activities.
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