NOTORIOUS 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 as much as ₦5 million in his life.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Turji rejected allegations that his activities were driven by personal gain.
The video was a response to claims 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 alleged that Turji collected ₦30 million during multiple meetings with former Zamfara State governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, at the Government House in Gusau, adding that vehicles were also shared during the talks.
Turji, however, described the claims as outright lies. Swearing by Allah, he said he had never owned even ₦5 million, insisting that neither ₦30 million nor ₦3 million was ever given to him.
He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust built during the peace process and providing what he called false and malicious testimony.
He also sought to distance himself from political actors, stating that neither he nor his group was acting on behalf of any politician or interest group. According to him, no individual was backing their activities.
The bandit leader further accused past political leaders of contributing to insecurity in the region long before Matawalle’s administration, naming former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Ahmed Yerima, whom he called for investigation and arrest.
While he made no reference to any ongoing talks with the Federal Government, Turji said his remarks were a personal defence, stressing that he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Meanwhile, residents of Sokoto State have raised concerns over the renewed public exchanges, warning that the issue is being politicised ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Community leaders and civil society actors cautioned that exploiting insecurity for political gain could further destabilise the North-West and worsen the suffering of ordinary citizens.
Despite his denials, Nigerian security agencies continue to list Turji as one of the most dangerous bandit leaders in the region, and he remains wanted for terror-related offences as military operations against armed groups persist.