Notorious terrorism kingpin Bello Turji has accused Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, of politicizing the state’s insecurity crisis.
Turji, believed to have fled Zamfara due to intensified military operations against terrorist groups in the region, outlined conditions for peace.
He claimed that peace could be restored if security forces and vigilante groups ceased attacking and killing Fulanis in the state and other areas.
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In a video released on Monday, Turji is seen sitting on a new motorcycle with a gun, while another gun, likely belonging to an unidentified accomplice, is visible nearby.
He criticized the ongoing blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, stating that both politicians are acting out of political motives and do not truly have the best interests of the people at heart.
“Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle labelling each other as terrorists (sponsors) 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.
“When (Mr) Matawalle was the governor who was sponsoring us? Similarly, when Abdulaziz Yari was the governor who was sponsoring us? Nobody is sponsoring us except God,” Turji said.
He stated that the armed conflict in Zamfara began long before the tenures of both Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle, tracing its origins back to the era of former Governor Ahmed Yerima.
“It was during the administration of Yerima that the government sold out the grazing reserve and legalised the killing of the Fulanis. When Muhmud Shinkafi came on board, he tried unsuccessfully to address the problem. Abdulaziz Yari came and empowered the vigilante, but we are still struggling,” Turji said.
He noted that Mr. Matawalle governed the state for four years, and Governor Dauda has been in office for only two years, but emphasized that it is only God, not the governors, who can bring an end to the conflict.
“This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Gun and airstrike will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” Mr Turji said.
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In the video, Mr. Turji also confirmed the killing of Halilu Sububu, whom he referred to as his mentor.
He stated that Sububu’s death had only motivated the younger generation within their ranks to intensify the deadly attacks on the people.
“Kachallah Halilu Sububu is not the first person to be killed; several others were killed. 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.
“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.”
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