Infamous bandit leader Bello Turji has dismissed claims that he received money or vehicles during peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government, insisting that he has “never possessed ₦5 million” since birth.
In a widely circulated video on social media, Turji denied benefiting personally from any dialogue with government officials, saying his actions were not driven by financial gain.
The denial came after allegations by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to engage armed groups in the North-West. Kamarawa had accused Turji of collecting ₦30 million during multiple meetings with the then Zamfara State governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle—now Minister of State for Defence—at the Government House in Gusau, adding that vehicles were also allegedly distributed during the talks.
Turji has rejected the claims as false. In a video, he stated, “By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5 million. What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30 million you are talking about.”
He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during negotiations, describing his statements as “false and mischievous testimony.” “We agreed on peace when the Zamfara State government appointed you,” Turji said. “But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive N3 million.”
Turji distanced himself from political influence, insisting he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he asserted. “No one is backing us.” He also held former political leaders responsible for fuelling insecurity long before Matawalle’s administration, specifically pointing to former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Senator Ahmed Yerima, and called for their arrest and investigation.
While he did not comment on recent talks with the Federal Government, Turji framed his remarks as a personal defence, stating he spoke “before Allah alone.”
At the same time, residents of Sokoto State expressed concern over the renewed exchanges, warning that the controversy is being politicised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Alhaji Sani Aliyu, a community leader in Sokoto metropolis, noted that the social media uproar “has little to do with justice or security. It is all about positioning for 2027, while ordinary people bear the brunt as politicians trade accusations.
Civil society activist Malam Abdullahi Bello warned that politicising insecurity could further destabilise the North-West. “Turning banditry and violence into political propaganda is dangerous,” he said. “Leaders should prioritise lasting solutions rather than exploiting fear to gain public support.”
Although Turji denies these allegations, Nigerian security agencies continue to classify him as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders in the North-West. He remains wanted for terror-related activities as military operations persist against bandit networks in the region.