Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has admitted taking part in multiple peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of former governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, who currently serves as Minister of State for Defence.
However, Turji strongly denied allegations that he was paid
₦30 million or received any form of material reward during the peace process.
His denial came in response to claims made by Musa Kamarawa,
a former peace facilitator engaged by the governments of Sokoto and Zamfara
states to manage dialogue with armed groups through non-military approaches.
In an online viral video, Kamarawa alleged that Matawalle
met with Turji at the state Government House in Gusau, where money and vehicles
were allegedly given to the bandit leader, accusing him of collecting ₦30
million.
Reacting in a separate video, Turji described the
allegations as completely untrue, stressing that although peace meetings were
held, neither he nor any Fulani leader representing him received cash or
vehicles.
“By Allah, from the day I was born till now, I have never
owned up to five million naira. What I am doing has nothing to do with personal
enrichment. We were never given the ₦30 million being mentioned,” he said.
Turji explained that the discussions with government
officials were strictly focused on ending bloodshed and restoring stability in
Zamfara State, stressing that he gained nothing financially from the talks.
He accused Kamarawa of violating the confidence established
during the negotiations and spreading what he termed fabricated and damaging
claims.
“When the Zamfara State government appointed you, we reached
an agreement on peace, but what you are saying now is full of lies and
deception. I did not even receive three million naira,” he added.
The bandit leader further blamed former political leaders in
Zamfara and Sokoto states for laying the groundwork for the prolonged
insecurity in the region.
According to him, previous administrations armed vigilante
groups known as ‘Yan Banga,’ whom he alleged targeted Fulani communities
unfairly, thereby worsening the violence.
Turji specifically mentioned former Sokoto State governor
Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima,
calling for their arrest and investigation over what he described as their
involvement in the crisis.
“We clearly state that former governors of Zamfara and
Sokoto, Bafarawa and Ahmed Sani Yerima, are responsible for the disasters that
befell these states.
“We are not politicians, and we are not being used by
politicians. No individual is backing us.”
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