Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has publicly denied receiving money or vehicles from the Zamfara State Government during past peace negotiations. In a viral video, Turji claimed he has “never possessed even N5 million” since he was born, insisting his criminal activities are not for personal gain.
Turji’s video was a direct response to allegations made by Musa Kamarawa, a former government-appointed peace mediator. Kamarawa had claimed that Turji received N30 million and vehicles during meetings with former Zamfara State Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle (now Minister of State for Defence) in Gusau.
Turji dismissed Kamarawa’s testimony as “false and mischievous,” saying, “We were never given the N30 million you are talking about. I did not even receive N3 million.” He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiation process.
The denial comes as a civil society activist, Malam Abdullahi Bello, cautioned against politicizing insecurity, warning that using banditry and violence as political propaganda could destabilize the North-West further.
Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies continue to identify him as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders in the North-West, and he remains wanted for terror-related activities.
