Terror kingpin, Bello Turji has spoken from his hideout accusing Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle of complicity in backing terrorism in the country.
His claims cannot be independently verified by Chronicle NG at the moment, but what is notable is that banditry started from Zamfara State and was at the peak during the administration of Matawalle as governor.
Turji, in a video, alleged that the issue of insecurity plaguing the country had the full backing of the immediate past Government of Zamfara State.
He said he had evidence to support this claim, alleging that the past government, under Matawalle was well-known to everyone in the region.
“This government has been complicit in backing terrorism. There are individuals from Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Issah who cannot deny this video.
“Many Nigerians, for example those in Bauchi or Kaduna, may not be aware of the problems in Zamfara. However, I want to assure the federal government that if they are unaware, I will provide names, details, and evidence. I urge them to investigate the past actions of these individuals and their discussions with them. As a citizen of this zone, (North West) I swear before God that I speak the truth.
“The past Government of Zamfara, under Matawalle, facilitated negotiations but also sabotaged efforts. There were multiple negotiations, but the dialogue did not succeed because everyone in Shinkafi and Isah knows the truth. The late Dillu, for example, was chased away by me because he refused to allow peace to reign in Shinkafi.
“They possessed more than 200 rifles, and Matawalle invited them to the government house. If I am lying, there are still in people in the government house that can explain this,” he alleged.
According to Turji, “When we killed Dillu, Kabiru Maniya should explain where the federal or the Zamfara and Sokoto state governments had a dialogue with him to drop his arms. Bashari Maniya should also tell us where he hide his weapons. Everyone knows that they have over 300 rifles, of which I took 30 from them. Let them come out and tell the truth about what is going on.
“As we speak, they are in Sokoto city. People like Malam Murtala Asada (Islamic Scholar) has been saying that there are other Turjis (Bandits) walking freely in the city of Sokoto, referring to Maniya and his cohort who supposedly has over 300 rifles hidden somewhere.”
Turji stated that there are bandit leaders with their boys hiding in various enclaves with weapons ranging from 150 to 300 rifles, but that they now claimed to be working with government forces as repentant.
“And whenever bandits want to attacks any location, they will advise the security to vacate areas in Sokoto to allow the attacks to take place. If I am lying, the people of Mai Lalle should come out and deny that they are not constantly being attacked.
“The bandits attacking them are from the enclave of Shehu in Gonbro forest, in Sokoto. Dan Maigari, the brother to Bashari, has 150 rifles and has coordinated several attacks in Maradun. Ali, a boy to Kabiru Mani, is attacking Tangaza, and these are people living lavishly and freely in Sokoto state capital. Kabiru, Buhari, and others are living lavish lives in Sokoto,” he added.
Turji said within the last three weeks, Buhari’s brother was said to have captured weapon inside Sokoto, saying if he was lying, they should come out and debunked it.
“But I can provide proof of Buhari shooting a GPMG. They should explain to us who gave those boys the arms they are using. The government should explain this to Nigerians and stop accusing Bello Turji of killing and kidnapping people.
“Those being kidnapped around Sokoto, Achida, and Goronyo—who is kidnapping them? Turji, is currently living peacefully in Shinkafi, is not responsible.
“Let the government come out and take responsibility for some of the atrocities being committed and stop falsely accusing others,” he said.
Bello Turji Kachalla, popularly known as Turji, is a notorious Nigerian terrorist and bandits leader who has been operating in northern Nigerian states including Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger.
The 28-year-old terrorist leader allegedly led a bandit gang attack from January 4 to 6, 2022, where over 200 people including women and children were massacred by bandits in Zamfara State.
