Terrorist kingpin Bello Turji claims that throughout his life he has “never had N5m,” rejecting allegations of receiving cash or vehicles during negotiations with the Zamfara State Government.
In a widely shared video on social media, the terrorists claimed that his actions are not for his own benefit.
His video addressed accusations made by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator designated by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments to promote discussions with armed groups in the Northwest.
Kamarawa claimed that Turji was given N30m during multiple meetings with the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawalle—currently the Minister of State for Defence—at the Government House in Gusau. Vehicles were also said to have been distributed.
However, Turji rejected the allegations as untrue.
“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5m,” he said in the video. “What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30m you are talking about.”
Turji accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during negotiations and giving what he described as “false and mischievous testimony.”
“We agreed on peace when the Zamfara State government appointed you,” Turji said. “But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive N3m.”
Turji aimed to separate himself from political sway, asserting that he was not representing any politician or interest organization. “We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he said. “There is no human being backing us.”
He additionally accused past political figures of exacerbating insecurity prior to Matawalle’s administration, specifically identifying former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa and former Zamfara State governor Senator Ahmed Yerima, demanding their arrest and inquiry.
While he refrained from discussing any recent discussions with the Federal Government, Turji positioned his statements as a personal defense, declaring he was speaking “before Allah alone.”
Sokoto State residents have voiced worries about the renewed clashes, cautioning that the issue is being politicized in light of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Alhaji Sani Aliyu, a leader in the Sokoto community, stated that the social media frenzy “is hardly related to justice or security.”
Everything revolves around positioning for 2027. Common individuals are the ones who suffer while politicians exchange blame.
In the same vein, civil society advocate Malam Abdullahi Bello warned that using insecurity as a political tool could exacerbate instability in the Northwest. “Using banditry and violence as political propaganda is dangerous,” he said.
“Leaders should focus on lasting solutions instead of exploiting fear to win public support.”
Regardless of Turji’s assertions, Nigerian security forces have consistently recognized him as one of the deadliest leaders of armed groups in the Northwest, and he is still wanted for activities linked to terrorism as military efforts persist in focusing on bandit networks in the area.
