Terrorist Implicates Minister, Reveals Implication Of Failed Peace Deal

Notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji has accused the former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, of empowering terrorists during his tenure.

Turji, who has been a central figure in the region’s violence, stated that Matawalle’s amnesty scheme, which provided financial rewards to bandits who surrendered, ultimately backfired and escalated insecurity in the state.

According to Premium Times, Turji claimed that many bandits used financial incentives to bolster their operations instead of surrendering their arms as agreed.

He pointed out that some of his colleagues, now living comfortably in urban areas, continue to orchestrate attacks from a distance, further complicating the security situation in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

The platform disclosed that these allegations were made in a video released on July 18, where Turji can be seen standing with an accomplice, both armed.

In the video, Turji also discussed his efforts to bring peace to his area by killing a rival bandit leader, a move he claims was undermined by Matawalle’s actions.

He said, “Any person living in Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Isa (Sokoto State) cannot deny this claim. There is a particular group of bandits whom the former governor pampered. I chased the group from Shinkafi, I killed their leader, Dudu, for peace to reign in Shinkafi. The group had 200 arms, but the governor later hosted them (Dudu’s boys) at the Government House.

“But the government failed to ask the group to surrender their weapons. Another group led by Bashari Maniya has over 300 guns. I seized 30 from them. Where are the remaining? And they never surrendered their weapons to the government.”

He alleged that some of the bandit leaders involved in the peace truce moved to the Sokoto metropolis after giving their arms to their boys kidnapping for ransom. He said the boys were making returns to their leaders living in Sokoto town.

He named some of them as Bashari Maniya, Kabiru, and Buhari

“Dan Maigari is the junior brother to Bashari Maniya; he has 150 guns, his hideout is in the Maradun riverine area, and he is responsible for attacks in the Maradun axis.

“Ali is a boy to Kabiru Maniya, and he is responsible for attacks in Tangaza axis. Both Bashiri and Kabiru are residing in the Sokoto metropolis, enjoying their lives. One other person, Buhari, is also in Sokoto town enjoying himself.

“Three weeks ago, a younger brother of Buhari was apprehended with guns in the Sokoto metropolis. Let anyone come out and deny this. I can come forward with video evidence where Kabiru is seen firing machine guns.

“The question now is, where are the machine guns after they claimed that they have embraced peace and settled in Sokoto town? Who did he give the machine guns? Let the government explain this to Nigerians, who are killing the people. Let them stop blaming Bello Turji for the killings and kidnapping.

“People that are being kidnapped in Sokoto metropolis and taken to the back of Achida and Goronyo, who is responsible for the kidnapping? Is that also Bello Turji? Who is living in peace in Shinkafi?” Mr Turji queried.