Wanted bandit kingpin, Turji, talks tough from hideout, says he’s not afraid of death

Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader on the run, has openly challenged security forces, asserting that he has no fear of being killed.

In a bold statement, Turji called for negotiations with the federal government as a means to bring an end to the ongoing violence in Zamfara State.

In a recently released video lasting five minutes and forty seconds, Turji, one of the 43 terrorists in the North West listed as wanted by the Defence Headquarters, confirmed the death of his leader, Halilu Sububu. He emphasized that Sububu’s demise would not silence him or his cause.

Turji expressed a willingness to surrender arms if the government agrees to engage in dialogue with him. He said, “Sadists, who claimed that we are about to be killed, we are very sure that we are not in the world to stay for eternity. We are always ready to be killed.”

Reflecting on historical conflicts, he continued, “Killings have not started today; people were being killed since the era of past prophets. We are not afraid to die; we are not afraid of bombs.”

Addressing the people of Zamfara, Turji stated, “When you stop killing our kinsmen, we will allow yours to live.”

He further criticized local political figures, alleging that they do not have the interests of Zamfara’s people at heart.

“Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle will not help. I want the people of Zamfara to understand that they are just politicians without the interest of the people of Zamfara in their hearts,” Turji said, while denying any financial support from the government, adding, “Nobody is sponsoring us except God.”

Turji also accused previous administrations of fueling the conflict, particularly pointing out the era of former Governor Yerima, which he said led to the sale of grazing reserves and the legitimization of violence against the Fulani people.

Despite the killing of his leader, Turji remains undeterred, stating that the only path to peace is through collaboration and dialogue. “The killing of Halilu Sububu will not deter us from doing what we are doing unless you stop killing our brothers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states.”

He concluded his message with a warning that force alone will not resolve the situation, declaring, “Your only plan is to exterminate the Fulani race while God has been protecting us. Even if you kill us, it’s God who ordained that to happen, but it’s not by your power.”