In a rare public rebuttal, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has denied allegations that he received N30 million and vehicles during past peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government, claiming he has “never possessed even N5m” in his life.
The denial was made in a video message circulating on social media, which was a direct response to accusations by former government-appointed peace mediator Musa Kamarawa. Kamarawa had alleged that Turji and his faction were given cash and vehicles during multiple meetings facilitated by the former Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle—now Minister of State for Defence.
“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5m,” Turji stated in the Hausa-language recording. “What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30m you are talking about.”
He went further to reject claims that he received any vehicles, calling Kamarawa’s testimony “false and mischievous” and accusing him of betraying the trust established during the dialogue process.
“We agreed on peace when the Zamfara State government appointed you,” Turji said, addressing the mediator. “But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive N3m.”
Kamarawa had previously served as a key intermediary between the governments of Zamfara, Sokoto, and various armed groups operating across the North-West.
