Bandit leader Turji admits to Zamfara peace talks, denies ₦30m payoff

File copy of Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji

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Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has confirmed that he held a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of former Governor Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, but denied claims that he received ₦30 million or vehicles as part of the engagement.

Turji made the clarification in a viral video circulating on social media on Saturday, responding to allegations by a former peace mediator, Musa Kamarawa, appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to facilitate non-kinetic dialogue with armed groups in the North-West.

Kamarawa had alleged that Matawalle’s administration held several meetings with bandits, including Turji, at the Government House in Gusau, during which money and vehicles were allegedly distributed. He specifically claimed that Turji received ₦30 million during the peace process.

However, Turji dismissed the claims as false, insisting that although peace talks took place, neither he nor any Fulani leader received money or vehicles.

“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira. What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the ₦30 million you are talking about,” Turji said in the video.

According to him, the meetings were part of a peace initiative aimed at reducing violence in Zamfara State.

He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiations and giving what he described as “false and mischievous testimony.”

“We agreed on peace when the Zamfara State Government appointed you. But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive three million naira,” Turji said.

The bandit leader also accused some former political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states of fuelling insecurity long before Matawalle’s administration, alleging that the arming of groups such as ‘Yan Banga’ and the encouragement of vigilante activities targeting Fulani communities contributed to the crisis.

Turji sought to distance himself from political influence, insisting that he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group.

He added, “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians. There is no human being backing us.”

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.”

Meanwhile, residents of Sokoto State have condemned the renewed exchanges and counter-allegations, warning that the region’s worsening security situation is being politicised for political gain ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to our correspondent, a community leader in Sokoto metropolis, Alhaji Sani Aliyu, said the controversy being amplified on social media was driven more by political interests than genuine concern for peace.

“What we are seeing 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”, Aliyu said.

Similarly, a civil society activist in Wamakko Local Government Area, 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. Leaders should focus on lasting solutions instead of exploiting fear to win public support,” Bello said.

The residents urged political actors to exercise restraint and allow security agencies to carry out their responsibilities without political interference, warning that inflammatory narratives could deepen mistrust and insecurity in already vulnerable communities.

Despite Turji’s claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly identified him as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders operating in the North-West.

The military has previously declared him wanted over terror-related activities, as security operations continue to dismantle bandit networks across the region.

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