Bello Turji Challenges CDS, Confirms Imposing ₦50 Million Levy on Zamfara Community

Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has openly challenged the Nigerian military after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, vowed to capture him. This comes after General Musa, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, asserted that Turji’s arrest was imminent, calling him a “deranged individual” whose time would soon come.

Musa emphasized the government’s commitment to ending banditry, stating, “On the issue of Turji, he is just a deranged individual who feels powerful, but I can assure you it’s just a matter of time before we get him. We will resolve this issue of levy payments to bandits. It is their lifeblood, but they know it’s blood money.”

In a defiant response, Turji appeared in a video released on Wednesday, dressed in military attire alongside armed men. In the video, he challenged General Musa, declaring he was not afraid of death and accusing the military of targeting his Fulani people. Turji invited the CDS to join him on the battlefield, even calling for renowned Islamic cleric Murtala Asada—who had accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of supporting Turji and other bandits—to confront him directly.

Turji also addressed accusations made by security analyst Bulama Bukarti that he had imposed a ₦30 million levy on the residents of Moriki town in Zamfara State. In the video, he confirmed the levy but clarified that it was ₦50 million, justifying it as retaliation for the killing of his cattle by locals.

He said, “I heard of Bulama Bukarti’s allegations about taxing the people of Moriki. By God’s will, all that he said is true, but he didn’t tell the full story. They killed our cattle, and I imposed the levy in response. Yet, Bukarti speaks only of the tax and not the killing of our livestock.”

Turji warned the residents of Moriki, accusing them of working with soldiers who he claims were deployed from southern Nigeria to kill his people. He further criticized Bukarti and others he called “slaves of the West,” accusing them of bias and failing to address the plight of Fulani communities.

Addressing Murtala Asada’s accusations, Turji taunted the cleric, urging General Musa to arm Asada and send him to the front lines to face him. He also criticized former Minister of Communications Sheikh Isa Pantami, accusing him of hypocrisy for compromising his beliefs after assuming a government role.

In a previous video, Turji alleged that the insecurity in Zamfara State was supported by the immediate past governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. He claimed Matawalle had facilitated negotiations with bandits but also sabotaged peace efforts. Turji insisted he had evidence to prove Matawalle’s involvement in backing terrorism, and urged the federal government to investigate.

Matawalle has since denied the allegations.

This exchange highlights the escalating tensions between the Nigerian military and the bandit leader, as well as the broader insecurity plaguing Zamfara and neighboring states.