Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has confirmed that he participated in several peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the administration of former Governor Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, but denied claims that he received ₦30 million or vehicles from the government.
Turji made the clarification in a video that went viral on social media on Saturday, following allegations by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to facilitate dialogue with armed groups in the North West. Kamarawa had claimed that meetings were held with bandits at the Government House in Gusau, where money and vehicles were allegedly shared, including a claim that Turji received ₦30 million.
Reacting to the allegation, Turji dismissed the claims as false, stating that although peace talks took place, neither he nor any Fulani leader was given money or vehicles. He insisted that the meetings were aimed solely at reducing violence and restoring peace in Zamfara State.
In the video, Turji swore by Allah that he had never possessed such an amount of money in his life. He said he did not receive ₦30 million or any other financial benefit during the peace process, adding that the claims were fabricated.
Turji accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiations and presenting what he described as false testimony. According to him, the mediator was fully aware of the terms of the peace discussions and should not mislead the public.
He also alleged that insecurity in Zamfara and Sokoto states existed long before Matawalle’s administration, blaming past political actions, including the arming of vigilante groups and activities of Yan Banga, for escalating violence against Fulani communities.
The bandit leader sought to distance himself from political influence, insisting that he was not sponsored or supported by any politician. He said he and his group were not tools in the hands of political actors.
Turji, however, did not comment on whether there were any recent negotiations with the Federal Government. He said his statement was a personal defence and that he was speaking before Allah alone.
