Terrorist leader Turji demands conditions for peace in Zamfara and blames the governor and minister for politicizing insecurity. Explore the conditions and the controversy.”
Bello Turji, a notorious figure in the world of terrorism, has criticized Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for allegedly politicizing the insecurity plaguing the region.
Turji, who is thought to have fled Zamfara following intensified military operations against terrorist factions, outlined his conditions for achieving peace in the state.
In a recently released video, Turji, armed and seated on a brand-new motorcycle, emphasized that tranquility could be restored if security forces and vigilante groups ceased their attacks on the Fulani people in Zamfara and other areas.
His comments reflect a growing frustration with the ongoing violence and instability that have affected countless lives in the region.
“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,” Mr Turji said.
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He said Mr Matawalle administered the state for four years, and Governor Dauda has been in office for just two years, but only God, not the governors, can stop 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.
The phone contacts of Governor Dauda`s spokesperson, Muhammad Lawal, and his counterpart of the minister, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, did not connect Tuesday morning to respond to the allegations by the terrorist against their principals.
Halilu Sububu`s death
Mr Turji, who also confirmed the killing of Halilu Sububu, whom he described in the video as his master, said the killing only emboldened the younger generation among them to carry on with 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.”
Turji claimed that the ongoing blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, who now serves as the Minister of State for Defence, is merely a political maneuver, asserting that neither politician is genuinely concerned about the welfare of their constituents.
“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,” Mr Turji said.
He said the armed conflict in Zamfara predated both Messrs Dauda and Matawalle and was happening since the time of former governor Ahmed Yerima.
