Allegations of A Terrorist: Two former governors fueling insecurity

Infamous bandit leader, Bello Turji, has charged two former governors from the northern region with exacerbating insecurity in the nation, particularly in the North.

He also acknowledged his involvement in a series of peace discussions with the Zamfara State government during the tenure of a previous governor of the state, but strongly refuted allegations that he received N30 million or any form of material incentive to engage in the process.

Attempts to obtain comments from both former governors at press time yesterday were unsuccessful as they did not answer calls nor return them.

Text and WhatsApp messages sent to their mobile devices received no replies.

Nevertheless, multiple sources close to the former governors asserted that the statements of a terrorist should not be trusted.

One source stated, "Why would anyone give credence to the words of a terrorist? Is it not evident that the terrorist is merely attempting to portray himself as a victim? It is all falsehoods."

Another source associated with one of the governors remarked, "I can assure you that Turji is lying. A person who has repeatedly committed murder is the one you wish to believe. Everything he has claimed is untrue."

The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation also did not provide any comments on the situation.

However, Turji, in a viral video that emerged yesterday, accused previous political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states of establishing the groundwork for the region's enduring insecurity.

He claimed that former administrations equipped vigilante groups, commonly referred to as 'Yan Banga,' which he alleged disproportionately targeted Fulani communities and intensified violence.

The bandit specifically identified the former governor of Sokoto State and his former counterpart in Zamfara State, calling for their arrest and investigation regarding what he termed their involvement in the crisis.

“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji claimed.

He sought to distance himself from any political influence, insisting that he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group.

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

Although Turji did not address reports of any recent negotiations with the federal government, he framed his remarks as a personal defence, insisting he was speaking “before Allah alone.”

Despite his assertions, Nigerian security agencies have consistently recognized Bello Turji as one of the most perilous leaders of armed groups operating in the North-West, with the military having previously issued a wanted notice for him due to terror-related offenses.

Turji’s revelations emerged against the backdrop of accusations made by a former peace negotiator, Musa Kamarawa, who was engaged by both state governments to negotiate with the leaders of bandit groups as part of efforts to promote non-kinetic engagement with armed factions.

Kamarawa alleged that Turji received N30 million for his involvement in the peace process at Government House in Gusau.

However, in a video response, Turji refuted these claims as blatant falsehoods, asserting that while peace discussions did occur, neither he nor any Fulani leader acting on his behalf received any money or vehicles.

“By Allah, since my birth, I have never possessed even five million naira. My actions are not motivated by personal gain. We were never given the N30 million you are referring to.”

He stated that the meetings with government representatives were exclusively focused on diminishing violence and reinstating peace in the states.

The bandit leaders emphasized that he did not gain financially from the negotiations and accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the discussions, disseminating what he termed as false and malicious testimony.

“When the Zamfara State government appointed you, we reached an agreement on peace. However, what you are currently stating is rife with lies and deceit. I did not even receive three million naira,” Turji remarked regarding Kamarawa.

Security forces have eliminated the notorious bandit, Kachalla Na’Allah, in Sokoto.

Security forces have eliminated the infamous bandit, Kachalla Na’Allah, in Sokoto.

In a decisive operation conducted in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a combined team of security operatives successfully neutralized the notorious bandit, Kachalla Na’Allah, thereby delivering another significant blow to the criminal networks that have been terrorizing the region. A credible security source confirmed that Na’Allah was shot dead on Friday during an interception that took place between the villages of Girnashe and Kuka Tara in the Tsabre Ward of the local government area.

The source revealed that the operation was carried out by a joint team comprising Mobile Police and community guard operatives, with assistance from the Nigerian Army, which ultimately led to the successful neutralization of the bandit kingpin. Na’Allah was identified as a relative of the notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Chimmo, who is believed to be active in the Sububu Forest area.

According to the source, this operation marked a significant advancement in dismantling the leadership and operational command of bandit groups within Sokoto State.

This development follows the recent neutralization of another notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu, by troops from the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in the Sabon Birnin Local Government Area.

Colonel Ahmad Usman, retd, the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their ongoing successes in the fight against banditry in the state.