Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has once again challenged the Nigerian military to capture him after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, vowed to bring him to justice.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, General Musa had expressed confidence that Turji would soon be apprehended, describing him as “a deranged individual who feels powerful.” Musa said: “It’s just a matter of time before we get him, and I can assure you it will be soon. We are tackling the issue of bandits collecting levies, which shows their desperation. Even when they get the money, they can’t use it—it’s blood money.”
In response, Turji released a video on Wednesday, taunting the Army chief and daring him to come after him. Dressed in military fatigues and flanked by armed men, Turji declared that he was not afraid of death and insisted that he was defending his Fulani people from military persecution.
Turji also addressed a recent claim by security analyst Bulama Bukarti, who had reported that the bandit leader imposed a N30 million levy on residents of Moriki, Zamfara State. In his video, Turji confirmed the levy but corrected the amount, stating that it was actually N50 million.
“My name is Bello Turji. I greet all the good Muslims of the world, especially those from Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi states. I heard Bulama Bukarti mention that I imposed a N30 million levy on Moriki, but the amount is N50 million. They killed our cattle, and we will not stay silent. The people of Moriki should remember that we are watching.”
He also accused Bukarti of spreading false information and siding with Western influences, warning that the people of Moriki would face consequences if the levy wasn’t paid. “You didn’t tell the full story, Bukarti. You are a slave to the West, and your words will not protect the people of Moriki from what’s coming.”
Turji further mocked Islamic cleric Murtala Asada, who had previously accused the bandit leader of being supported by the former Zamfara State governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. He challenged both Asada and General Musa to face him on the battlefield.
“I call on General Musa: give Murtala Asada a weapon, even if it’s a local vigilante weapon, and let him come confront us. We are ready.”
In a previous video, Turji had alleged that former Governor Matawalle had supported terrorism in Zamfara State, claiming to have evidence of the former administration’s complicity in banditry. He urged the federal government to investigate.
Matawalle, however, has consistently denied any involvement in supporting banditry.
