Turji Denies Receiving N30m From Zamfara Govt For Peace Deal

Bello Turji has publicly denied claims that he received N30m or any material benefit during peace negotiations with the Zamfara State Government, insisting that the talks were solely aimed at de-escalating violence in the state.

Turji’s denial comes amid renewed public scrutiny of past non-kinetic engagements with armed groups in the North-West, following allegations by a former government-appointed peace mediator that large sums of money and vehicles were distributed to bandits during the negotiations.

The controversy has reignited debate over the transparency and effectiveness of dialogue-based approaches to tackling insecurity.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Turji acknowledged that he participated in peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the administration of former Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence.

However, he rejected allegations by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator for Sokoto and Zamfara states, who claimed that Turji was given 30 million as part of the peace process.

Kamarawa had alleged that several meetings were held at the Government House in Gusau, where money and vehicles were purportedly shared among bandit leaders, including Turji. The bandit leader described the claims as false and misleading.

“By Allah, since the day I was born, I have never owned up to five million naira, we were never given the 30 million being mentioned.”

According to him, the engagements with government officials were intended to restore peace and reduce hostilities, not to enrich any individual. He also denied collecting money on behalf of any Fulani leader, stressing that he derived no personal financial benefit from the talks.

Turji accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust built during the negotiations, adding that when the Zamfara State government appointed Kamarawa, they agreed to peace.

Beyond the financial allegations, Turji levelled accusations against former political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states, blaming them for worsening insecurity in the region. He alleged that former governors armed local vigilante groups, known as ‘Yan Banga’, which he claimed targeted Fulani communities.

“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto, Bafarawa and Ahmed Sani Yerima, are responsible for the calamities that befell these states”

Turji alleged, calling for their investigation and arrest. He also sought to distance himself from partisan politics, insisting that neither he nor his group acted on behalf of any politician.

Despite his claims, Nigerian security agencies continue to regard Bello Turji as one of the most dangerous armed group leaders operating in the North-West, and the military has previously declared him wanted over terrorism-related activities.