Turji Confirms Peace Talks, Denies ₦30m Payment, Blames Former Governors for Insecurity

Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has acknowledged that he took part in peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of former governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, but strongly denied claims that he received ₦30 million or any material benefits from the talks.

Turji was responding to allegations made by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to engage armed groups through non-kinetic means. In a viral video, Kamarawa alleged that the former Zamfara governor held meetings with bandit leaders, including Turji, at the Government House in Gusau, where cash and vehicles were allegedly distributed. He specifically claimed that Turji collected ₦30 million.

In a separate video that has since circulated widely online, Turji dismissed the claims as false, insisting that while peace meetings did take place, neither he nor any Fulani leader representing him received money or vehicles.

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

He said the discussions with government officials were aimed solely at reducing violence and restoring peace in Zamfara State, stressing that he did not benefit financially. Turji accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiations and spreading what he described as false testimony.

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

Turji went on to accuse former political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states of laying the groundwork for the region’s long-running insecurity. He alleged that past administrations armed vigilante groups known as Yan Banga, which he claimed targeted Fulani communities and worsened violence.

He named former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Ahmed Sani Yerima, calling for their arrest and investigation over what he described as their roles in the crisis.

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

“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto, Bafarawa and Ahmed Sani Yerima, are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji said.

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

Although Turji did not comment on reports of any recent engagement with the Federal Government, he said his remarks were a personal defence, insisting he was speaking “before Allah alone.”

Despite his claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly described Bello Turji as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders operating in the North-West, with the military previously declaring him wanted for terror-related activities.

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