Gusau, Nigeria — A notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has claimed that he once held a meeting with former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, a statement that has sparked renewed controversy and public debate.
Turji reportedly made the claim in a video and audio recording circulating on social media, where he alleged that the meeting took place during Matawalle’s tenure as governor of Zamfara State. In the recording, the bandit leader suggested that the engagement was part of efforts linked to dialogue or negotiations with armed groups operating in the state.
The authenticity of the recording and the full context of the alleged meeting have not been independently verified by security agencies or authorities at the time of this report.
In the past, the Zamfara State Government under Matawalle publicly acknowledged adopting a peace dialogue strategy aimed at reducing banditry, which included negotiations and amnesty offers to repentant bandits. However, officials had consistently maintained that such engagements were intended to restore peace and did not amount to support for criminal activities.
Reacting to the latest claim, security analysts and civil society groups have called for a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding any such meeting, stressing the importance of accountability in the fight against insecurity.
As of press time, no official response has been issued by Matawalle or the Ministry of Defence regarding Turji’s allegation.
Bello Turji remains one of the most wanted bandit leaders in the North-West, linked by authorities to several violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings across Zamfara and neighboring states.
The development comes amid heightened public concern over insecurity in the region and ongoing military operations targeting armed groups.
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