By peterside Rejoice
Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has accused two former governors from Northern Nigeria of contributing to the protracted insecurity in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara and Sokoto states.
In a viral video that surfaced on Sunday, Turji alleged that past political leadership in the two states laid the foundation for the crisis by arming vigilante groups, popularly known as *Yan Banga*. According to him, the actions of these groups disproportionately targeted Fulani communities and escalated violence in the region.
Turji also confirmed that he participated in a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of a former governor. However, he denied claims that he received N30 million or any material inducement to take part in the negotiations.
“I swear by Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira. We were never given the N30 million being mentioned,” Turji said in the video, insisting that the meetings were solely aimed at restoring peace.
Efforts to obtain reactions from the two former governors proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to them were neither picked nor returned as of press time.
However, sources close to the former governors dismissed Turji’s claims, describing them as false and unreliable. One source questioned the credibility of the allegations, stating that the words of a terrorist should not be taken seriously, while another insisted that Turji was attempting to portray himself as a victim.
The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation also declined to comment on the matter.
Turji specifically named a former Sokoto State governor and his Zamfara State counterpart, calling for their arrest and investigation over what he described as their roles in the insecurity ravaging the region.
“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” he claimed.
He further distanced himself from any political influence, insisting that neither he nor his group was acting on behalf of any politician or interest group.
Despite his claims, security agencies have consistently identified Bello Turji as one of the most dangerous bandit leaders operating in the North-West, with the military previously declaring him wanted for terror-related activities.
The allegations followed claims by a former peace negotiator, Musa Kamarawa, who accused Turji of collecting ₦30 million during peace talks held at the Government House in Gusau. Turji, however, dismissed the accusation, alleging that Kamarawa had betrayed the trust built during the negotiations.
Meanwhile, security forces have recorded fresh successes in the fight against banditry in Sokoto State. A joint team of Mobile Police operatives, community guards and the Nigerian Army reportedly neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Na’Allah, during an operation in Isa Local Government Area.
A security source disclosed that Na’Allah was intercepted and killed between Girnashe and Kuka Tara villages in Tsabre Ward. He was identified as a cousin of another infamous bandit leader, Ibrahim Chimmo, believed to be operating within the Sububu Forest axis.
The development came days after troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division neutralised another bandit kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu, in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area.
Commending the security agencies, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security Matters, Colonel Ahmad Usman (retd.), praised their sustained efforts in dismantling criminal networks across the state.
