Bello Turji Denies Receiving Cash Or Vehicles During Zamfara Peace Talks

Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has publicly rejected claims that he received money or vehicles from the Zamfara State Government during past peace negotiations, insisting that he has never benefitted financially from the talks.

In a video circulating widely on social media, the wanted bandit dismissed allegations that he was handed N30 million and vehicles during meetings with the former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence.

The claims were made by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator jointly appointed by the Zamfara and Sokoto state governments to engage armed groups in the North-West.

Responding directly, Turji swore by Allah that he had never handled such sums of money in his life.

“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even N5 million,” he said. “What I am doing is not for personal gain. We were never given the N30 million you are talking about.”

He accused Kamarawa of betrayal, describing his statements as false, mischievous, and a violation of the trust built during negotiations.

“When the Zamfara State government appointed you, we agreed on peace. But what you are saying now is full of lies and deceit. I did not even receive N3 million,” Turji added.

The bandit leader also sought to distance himself from political influence, rejecting suggestions that he operates as a proxy for politicians or powerful interests.

“We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians,” he said. “There is no human being backing us.”

The video has further reignited public debate around the controversial peace deals previously pursued by state governments in the North-West, as authorities continue to grapple with banditry, broken truces, and questions over accountability in past negotiations.