Bandit leader Bello Turji accuses former governors of fuelling insecurity, denies N30 million payoff

Notorious bandit commander Bello Turji has claimed that two former northern governors are responsible for the ongoing insecurity in the North‑West, especially in Zamfara and Sokoto states. In a video that went viral on Monday, Turji said past administrations in those states armed vigilante groups known as “Yan Banga,” which he alleges have disproportionately targeted Fulani communities and escalated violence.

Turji also confirmed that he took part in a series of peace talks with the Zamfara State government during the tenure of a former governor, but he vehemently denied ever receiving N30 million or any other material inducement to participate. “By Allah, since I was born I have never possessed even five million naira,” he said. “The meetings were solely to reduce violence and restore peace; no money or vehicles were given to me or any Fulani leader acting on my behalf.”

Attempts to obtain comments from the two former governors were unsuccessful; they did not respond to phone calls, texts or WhatsApp messages. Sources close to the governors dismissed Turji’s accusations, describing them as the lies of a terrorist trying to portray himself as a victim. One source said, “Why would anyone put a premium on the words of a terrorist? He is serially killing people; his statements are all lies.”

The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation also declined to comment.

Turji’s remarks follow a previous allegation by former peace negotiator Musa Kamarawa, who said Turji collected N30 million for his role in the peace process at Government House in Gusau. Turji rejected the claim, accusing Kamarawa of betraying the trust built during the negotiations and spreading “false and malicious testimony.”

In a separate development, security forces killed another prominent bandit, Kachalla Na’Allah, in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday. Na’Allah, a cousin of infamous bandit leader Ibrahim Chimmo, was shot during an interception between Girnashe and Kuka Tara villages. The operation involved Mobile Police, community guard operatives and the Nigerian Army, marking another blow to bandit networks in the region. The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, praised the joint effort.

Turji remains one of the most wanted armed‑group leaders in the North‑West, with the military previously designating him a terrorist. His latest statements have reignited debate over the role of former state officials in the region’s insecurity and the credibility of peace negotiations with bandit groups.