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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.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has commended his principal for assenting to South West and South – South Development Commissions Bills as well as the Nigeria Anti – Doping Bill 2025.
Senator Lado who made the commendation in a personally signed statement, described presidential assets to the bills as monumental milestone and testament to visionary leadership and national progress.
The statement reads: “I extend my warmest congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for yet another historic achievement his decisive and visionary assent to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.
“His Excellency has once again demonstrated that leadership is not merely about policies—it is about impact, legacy, and a deep-rooted dedication to uplifting every citizen.
“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.
Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and North -West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions.
“These commissions will serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. This is the mark of a true statesman—one who understands that a nation’s strength lies in its ability to uplift all regions without bias.
“In the same vein, the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025 is yet another bold step that solidifies Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.
“President Tinubu has once again positioned Nigeria as a nation of high ethical standards, ensuring that our athletes compete on the world stage with honor and credibility. By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.
“This momentous occasion underscores President Tinubu’s unmatched leadership—one that is proactive, decisive, and deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His ability to enact groundbreaking policies that foster unity, drive economic prosperity, and elevate our international standing speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication to national transformation”.
News
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has acknowledged receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District but noted that key contact details of the petitioners were missing.
In a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission stated that the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the covering letter only provided a general location, “Okene, Kogi State,” without a specific address or multiple contact numbers as required by INEC’s regulations.
INEC emphasized that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The commission assured that once the petition meets all requirements, it will proceed with verifying the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open process involving petitioners, observers, and the media.
INEC is currently making efforts to reach the petitioners through other means and urged the public to disregard speculation on social media regarding the recall process.
News
Natasha’s case to be assigned to another Judge as Egwuatu recuse himself, citing Akpabio’s petition
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has recused himself from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case citing a petition by lawyers to Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The case bothered on suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udughan from the Senate for six months, but a dramatic twist to it Justice Egwuatu who is presiding over the matter on Tuesday recused himself and ordered that the cas file be sent to the Chief Justice for reassignment.
The trial judge based his decision on a petition the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, wrote to challenge his objectivity in the matter.
Though the suit was originally fixed for hearing, however, when the matter was called up by the court’s clerk, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision in a short ruling he delivered.
He said the case-file would be returned to the Chief Judge for a reassignment to another judge.
It will be recalled that Justice Egwuatu had on March 4, issued an interim order that stopped the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceeding that was initiated against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over an allegation that she flouted rules of the legislative house.
He held that the disciplinary process should be placed on hold, pending the determination of the suit that was brought before him by the embattled female lawmaker.
More so, Justice Egwuatu gave defendants in the matter, 72 hours to show cause why it should not issue an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct, without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
He granted permission for the plaintiff to serve the Originating Summons and all the accompanying processes on all the defendants, through substituted means.
It held that they should be served by handing the processes to the Clerk of the National Assembly or by pasting them on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.
The interim orders followed an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency that was brought before the court by the lawmaker.
However, despite the orders of the court, the Senate Committee held its sitting and slammed the plaintiff with a six months suspension.
Following an application by the defendants, Justice Egwuatu subsequently amended the interim order he issued in favour of the plaintiff, by vacating the aspect that barred the Senate from undertaking any activity within the pendency of the suit.
The Senate President had through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, queried the powers of the court to meddle in the affairs of the Senate.
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