Families of victims affected by the persistent insecurity in North West Nigeria have petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging him to probe serious allegations levelled against two former governors, whom they blame for laying policy foundations that fuelled today’s banditry crisis.
The coalition of bereaved families lamented that domestic avenues for justice have been exhausted and appealed to the President to help uncover the truth behind claims linked to policies under former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa.
In a letter jointly signed by their Chairperson, Otuba Rawene; Secretary, Sani Usman; Public Relations Officer, Haj. Hadijat Abdullahi; and 20 others, the representatives of victims’ families said, “We write to Your Excellency with a profound sense of urgency and responsibility, seeking your support in addressing grave allegations recently made public by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.”
They noted that in a widely circulated video released in December 2025, Turji accused the former governors of “laying the foundations for the current insecurity crisis.”
“Specifically, he claimed that their policies, including the seizure and sale of grazing reserves and the arming of vigilante groups that targeted Fulani communities ignited ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal violence that evolved into today’s widespread banditry,” the letter said.
While acknowledging that Turji is a wanted criminal responsible for countless atrocities, the petitioners insisted the allegations deserve a neutral investigation.
“While we acknowledge that Bello Turji is a wanted criminal responsible for countless atrocities, including the deaths of many of our relatives, we believe these allegations warrant serious and impartial scrutiny.
“As the proverb goes, where there is smoke, there is fire,” the letter read.
They added that after “domestic avenues for justice often met with inaction or allegations being dismissed,” they viewed the President as their last hope for truth and justice.
The victims’ families detailed the extent of the crisis, noting, “Reliable reports indicate that thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacements, and profound economic devastation.”
They cited figures showing that “between 2018 and 2020 alone, armed banditry caused at least 4,900 deaths,” and that “in the first half of 2025, over 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and bandits, surpassing the total for all of 2024.”
The petition also highlighted the human cost of abductions, with “verified ransom payments reaching billions of naira (e.g., N2.57 billion between July 2024 and June 2025).”
The letter added, “These attacks have displaced hundreds of thousands, disrupted agriculture and trade, deepened poverty, and inflicted lasting trauma on survivors. Communities live in constant fear, with bandits imposing illegal levies and operating with impunity.”
The petition urged the Nigerian government to launch a “prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into Bello Turji’s allegations against the named former governors.”
They also called for technical support or international oversight “to ensure the probe is credible and free from political interference.”
“Advocate for broader measures to address impunity, including sanctions if evidence of complicity in serious crimes emerges.
“We firmly believe that accountability for those who may have contributed to this crisis regardless of their status is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring peace,” the petitioners added.