Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has accused two former northern governors of fuelling insecurity in the country, particularly in the North-West, while denying claims that he received financial or material inducements to participate in past peace negotiations.
Turji confirmed that he took part in a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the administration of a former governor but rejected allegations that he was paid N30 million or given any incentives to join the process. He insisted that the engagements were solely aimed at reducing violence and restoring peace in the affected states.
Efforts to obtain reactions from the former governors were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to them were not returned. The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation also did not comment on the matter.
In a viral video that surfaced recently, Turji accused past political leadership in Zamfara and Sokoto states of laying the foundation for the region’s prolonged insecurity. He alleged that former administrations armed vigilante groups, popularly known as ‘Yan Banga’, claiming that their actions disproportionately targeted Fulani communities and escalated violence. He specifically called for the arrest and investigation of the former governors of the two states over what he described as their roles in the crisis.
“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji said in the video.
He sought to distance himself from political influence, insisting that neither he nor his group was acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. According to him, his remarks were a personal defence made “before Allah alone.”
Turji also responded to allegations that he collected N30 million during the peace process, describing them as outright falsehoods. He maintained that neither he nor any Fulani leader acting on his behalf received money or vehicles during the negotiations.
“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira. We were never given the N30 million being mentioned,” he said, adding that he did not benefit financially from the engagements.
Despite his claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly identified Bello Turji as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders operating in the North-West, with the military previously declaring him wanted for terror-related activities.
Post comments (0)