Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has acknowledged that he took part in peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of former governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, but has strongly rejected allegations that he received ₦30 million or any other inducement from the government.
Turji’s response followed claims made by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator engaged by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to pursue dialogue with armed groups.
In a viral video, Kamarawa alleged that Matawalle convened meetings with bandit leaders, including Turji, at the Government House in Gusau, where cash and vehicles were allegedly shared.
He specifically accused Turji of collecting ₦30 million during the peace process.
Reacting in a separate video that has since circulated widely online, Turji described the allegations as fabricated, maintaining that while discussions with government officials did occur, no money or material benefits were given to him or to any Fulani leader representing him.
“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira,” Turji said.
“What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the ₦30 million you are talking about.”
He said the meetings were intended solely to reduce bloodshed and restore calm in Zamfara State, insisting that he gained nothing financially from the engagements. Turji accused Kamarawa of violating the understanding reached during the talks and spreading what he called falsehoods.
“When the Zamfara State government appointed you, we agreed on peace,” Turji said, addressing Kamarawa. “But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive three million naira.”
READ ALSO: FG Maintains “No Negotiation” Policy with Terrorists
The bandit leader also blamed former political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states for contributing to the prolonged insecurity in the region. He alleged that past administrations armed vigilante groups, commonly known as ‘Yan Banga,’ which he claimed carried out attacks against Fulani communities and worsened violence.
Turji named former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, calling for their arrest and investigation over what he described as their roles in fueling the crisis.
Seeking to distance himself from political affiliations, Turji insisted he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group.
“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto, Bafarawa and Ahmed Sani Yerima, are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji claimed.
“We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he said. “There is no human being backing us.”
While Turji did not comment on reports of any ongoing talks with the Federal Government, he said his remarks were meant to clear his name, stressing that he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Despite his denials, Nigerian security agencies have consistently identified Bello Turji as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders operating in the North-West, with the military previously declaring him wanted over terror-related activities.
