Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has denied allegations that he received N30 million or any material inducement from the Zamfara State Government during peace negotiations, insisting that the engagements were strictly aimed at reducing violence in the state.

Turji’s denial comes amid renewed public debate over the credibility and transparency of non-kinetic approaches adopted by some North-West states to address insecurity, following claims by a former government-appointed peace mediator that cash and vehicles were shared among bandit leaders during the talks.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Turji confirmed that he participated in peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government under the administration of former Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. However, he dismissed claims by Musa Kamarawa, a former peace mediator in Zamfara and Sokoto states, that he was paid N30 million as part of the process.

Kamarawa had alleged that several meetings held at the Government House in Gusau involved the distribution of money and vehicles to bandit leaders, including Turji. The bandit leader described the claims as false, misleading and aimed at discrediting the peace efforts.

“By Allah, since the day I was born, I have never owned up to five million naira. We were never given the N30 million being mentioned,” Turji said.

According to him, the discussions with government officials were focused solely on restoring peace and de-escalating hostilities, not on personal enrichment. He also denied collecting money on behalf of any Fulani leader, stressing that he gained no financial benefit from the talks.

Turji accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust established during the negotiations, adding that all parties had initially agreed to pursue peace when the mediator was appointed by the Zamfara State Government.

He further levelled accusations against former political leaders in Zamfara and Sokoto states, alleging that their actions worsened insecurity in the region. Specifically, he accused former governors Ahmed Sani Yerima and Attahiru Bafarawa of arming vigilante groups, popularly 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. He remains on the wanted list of the military over alleged terrorism-related activities.