Deadly bandits’ leader, Turji Bello releases video alleging Defence Minister, Matawalle secretly backing terrorism

A notorious bandits leader, Bello Turji Kachalla, popularly known as Turji, in a daring video revealed how the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle Maradun is backing terrorism in the North West.

Zamfara and other parts of North West have been hotbed to banditry activities that led to several deaths and destruction of lives and properties, particularly between 2019 to 2023 when Matawalle governed Zamfara State.

Turji has been operating in parts of North Western States of Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger and has been successfully evasive from the hunt of security operatives due to his connection with people in and around the States, to the extent that some top government officials serve as his informants.

In a video which Turji released on Saturday that has gone viral on social media including X handle, Bello Turji Kachalla, could be seen speaking in Hausa with a background believed to be his hideout and accused the former governor of Zamfara State of backing terrorism..

The terrorist who is 28 years old was seen with his operatives brandishing dangerous weapons and speaking out how Mohammed Bello Matawalle was backing terrorism in Nigeria, a claim that has not yet been verified by CAPITAL POST as at Saturday.

Turji who is a native of Zamfara has devastated his own State and other adjoining States of Sokoto and Niger with heavy casualties.

According to the terrorist, he boasted of having evidence against Matawalle to back his allegation against him, explaining that Matawalle backing for terrorism in the North West was well-known to everyone.

Speaking in Hausa, he said, “My name is Muhammed Bello Turji, and I am releasing this video to reach all Nigerians, from the leaders to the poor. This is the message I want to convey to everyone.

“The issue of insecurity plaguing our country has the full backing of the immediate past Government of Zamfara State. I have evidence to support this claim. The past government, under His Excellency Bello Mattawallen Maradun (State Minister of Defence), is 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 Mattawalle, 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 Mattawalle invited them to the government house. If I am lying, there are still in people in the government house that can explain this.

“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.

“There are bandit leaders with their boys hiding in various enclaves with weapons ranging from 150 to 300 rifles, but 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.

“Within the last three weeks, Buhari’s brother was said to have captured weapon inside Sokoto. If I am 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.”