Dare Babalola
Bello Turji, the notorious bandit leader, has denied allegations of receiving money or vehicles during peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government, asserting that he has “never possessed N5m” in his life.
In a viral social media video, bandit leader Bello Turji stated that his actions are driven by motives beyond personal gain.
The video was a response to allegations made by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to facilitate talks with armed groups in the North-West.
Kamarawa had alleged that Turji received N30 million during several meetings with former Zamfara Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, at the Government House in Gusau, and that vehicles were also handed out.
However, Turji dismissed the claims as false.
He said in the video, “By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5m.
“What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30m you are talking about.”
He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during negotiations and giving what he described as “false and mischievous testimony.”
He added, “We agreed on peace when the Zamfara State government appointed you. But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive N3m.”
Turji also sought to distance himself from political influence, claiming he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he said. “There is no human being backing us.”
He further blamed former political leaders for fuelling insecurity long before Matawalle’s administration, specifically naming former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Senator Ahmed Yerima, calling for their arrest and investigation.
Although he did not comment on any recent negotiations with the Federal Government, Turji framed his remarks as a personal defence, saying he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly identified him as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders in the North-West, and he remains wanted for terror-related activities as military operations continue to target bandit networks in the region.
