Turji Accuses Two Ex-Governors of Fueling Zamfara, Sokoto Insecurity
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has accused two former governors from northern Nigeria of playing key roles in the prolonged insecurity plaguing Zamfara and Sokoto states.
Turji made the allegations in a viral video that surfaced on Sunday, where he claimed that decisions taken by past political leadership in both states laid the foundation for the violence that has devastated communities across the region.
In the video, Turji said he took part in several peace meetings with the Zamfara State government during the tenure of a former governor. He, however, denied claims that he received ₦30 million or any other financial inducement in exchange for participating in the dialogue process.
He further alleged that former administrations in Zamfara and Sokoto armed vigilante groups popularly known as Yan Banga, accusing them of targeting Fulani communities and worsening ethnic tensions.
According to Turji, the activities of the vigilante groups escalated violence and contributed significantly to the insecurity currently facing both states.
“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji alleged.
The bandit leader went on to name a former governor of Sokoto State and his counterpart in Zamfara State, calling for their arrest and investigation over what he described as their involvement in the crisis.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain reactions from the two former governors were unsuccessful.
However, sources close to the former governors dismissed Turji’s claims, urging the public to disregard statements made by a known terrorist.
“Why would anyone want to place a premium on the words of a terrorist? Is it not clear that the terrorist is just trying to present himself as a victim? It is all lies,” one of the sources told journalists.
Security analysts say the video has reignited public debate over the roots of banditry in northwestern Nigeria, particularly the role of past political decisions in the emergence and persistence of armed groups in the region.
