Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji says since he was born he has “never possessed N5m,” denying receiving money or vehicles during peace talks with the Zamfara State Government.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the bandit leader said his activities are not for personal gain.
His video was in response to 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 alleged that Turji received N30m during several meetings with the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawalle—now Minister of State for Defence—at the Government House in Gusau. Vehicles were also reportedly distributed.
But Turji dismissed the claims as false.
“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5m,” he said in the video. “What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30m you are talking about.”
He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during negotiations and giving what he described 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 N3m.”
Turji also sought to distance himself from political influence, claiming he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he said. “There is no human being backing us.”
He further blamed former political leaders for fuelling insecurity long before Matawalle’s administration, specifically naming former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Senator Ahmed Yerima, calling for their arrest and investigation.
Although he did not comment on any recent negotiations with the Federal Government, Turji framed his remarks as a personal defence, saying he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Residents of Sokoto State have 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, said the social media uproar “has little to do with justice or security. It is all about positioning for 2027. Ordinary people are the ones suffering while politicians trade accusations.”
Similarly, civil society activist Malam Abdullahi Bello cautioned that turning insecurity into a political weapon could further destabilise the North-West. “Using banditry and violence as political propaganda is dangerous,” he said. “Leaders should focus on lasting solutions instead of exploiting fear to win public support.”
Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly identified him as 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.
