Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has stated that he has “never possessed N5 million,” refuting claims of receiving money or vehicles during peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government. In a viral video, he emphasized that his actions are not driven by personal gain.
The video was released in response to accusations from Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator for the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments, who alleged that Turji received N30 million during discussions with the former Zamfara governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence. Kamarawa also claimed that Turji had been given vehicles during these meetings.
Dismissing these allegations, Turji insisted, “By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5 million. We were never given the N30 million you are talking about.” He accused Kamarawa of betraying trust and sharing “false and mischievous testimony,” stating that they had agreed on peace and that Kamarawa’s claims were based on lies.
Turji sought to distance himself from political influences, asserting that he is not acting on behalf of any politicians. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he declared. He further criticized former political leaders, including former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara Governor Ahmed Yerima, calling for their arrest and investigation for their roles in escalating insecurity prior to Matawalle’s administration.
While Turji did not address any ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government, he framed his comments as a personal defense, stressing he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Local residents have voiced concerns over the renewed controversy, cautioning that the situation is being politicized ahead of the 2027 general elections. Community leader Alhaji Sani Aliyu remarked that the uproar has little to do with justice or security, noting that ordinary people are suffering while politicians engage in disputes.
Civil society activist Malam Abdullahi Bello warned against using insecurity as a political weapon, arguing it could further destabilize the North-West. He urged leaders to focus on sustainable solutions rather than exploiting fear for public support.
Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies have labeled him 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.
