Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has denied claims that he ever received millions of naira or other benefits from the Zamfara State Government during peace negotiations, insisting that he has never possessed up to ₦5 million in his life. Turji made the claim in a video that surfaced online, where he reacted angrily to allegations that armed bandits were financially rewarded during previous peace talks with government officials.
The denial followed comments credited to Musa Kamarawa, a former peace facilitator appointed by the Sokoto and Zamfara state governments, who alleged that bandit leaders were paid substantial sums of money and given vehicles to encourage them to embrace peace. According to Kamarawa, some of the negotiations that took place during the administration of former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle involved cash payments running into tens of millions of naira.
Responding to the allegations, Turji described the claims as lies and an attempt to tarnish his image. In the video, he swore by Allah that he had never owned ₦5 million at any point in his life, dismissing reports that he collected ₦30 million or any other amount from government officials. He also denied receiving vehicles or other material incentives, maintaining that discussions held with authorities were not motivated by personal enrichment.
Turji argued that the peace engagements were aimed at reducing violence in affected communities and addressing grievances rather than financial gain. He said those spreading the allegations were deliberately misrepresenting events to mislead the public and shift blame. According to him, the narratives being circulated were part of a broader attempt to politicise insecurity in the North-West.
The bandit leader further claimed that neither he nor members of his group benefitted from government largesse during the period of dialogue. He insisted that if such payments had indeed been made, evidence should be produced to substantiate the claims. Turji maintained that peace talks should not be misconstrued as transactional arrangements designed to reward criminality.
Beyond denying the financial allegations, Turji also made sweeping accusations against some former political leaders in the region, alleging that insecurity in Zamfara and neighbouring states did not start recently. He accused past administrations of playing roles that worsened the security situation and called for investigations into their actions. According to him, banditry flourished due to years of neglect, unresolved communal disputes, and political failures.
The controversy has reignited debate over the effectiveness and transparency of peace deals with armed groups in northern Nigeria. Over the years, state governments have adopted a mix of military operations and dialogue in a bid to curb banditry, cattle rustling, and mass kidnappings. While some officials argue that dialogue helps to reduce violence and open channels for disarmament, critics say such talks often embolden criminals and undermine the rule of law.
Security analysts have also expressed concern that allegations of cash payments to bandits, whether proven or not, damage public confidence in government strategies. They argue that negotiating with armed groups without clear frameworks and accountability can create incentives for violence, as criminal groups may view it as a pathway to financial reward and political relevance.
Meanwhile, security agencies continue to list Bello Turji among the most wanted bandit leaders in the North-West. He has been linked to several deadly attacks, kidnappings, and raids on rural communities in Zamfara, Sokoto, and neighbouring states. Despite periodic military operations targeting bandit enclaves, insecurity remains a major challenge in the region, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes and disrupting farming activities.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that it will not tolerate criminality and has intensified military campaigns against armed groups. However, the resurfacing of claims and counterclaims surrounding past peace negotiations highlights the complexity of Nigeria’s security crisis and the difficulty of balancing force with dialogue.
As the debate continues, many residents of affected communities say their primary concern remains safety and justice, rather than political blame games. They have called on authorities to prioritise decisive action that will restore peace, protect lives, and ensure accountability for all those involved in fuelling insecurity, whether armed actors or political figures.
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