Zamfara, Nigeria – Turji Bello, a notorious terrorist leader operating in Zamfara State, has made a public appeal for peace talks with the federal government, according to The Bureau Newspaper. In a video released on Monday, which quickly gained traction online, Bello accused both the current Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and former governor and current Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle, of politicizing the ongoing insecurity in the state.
Bello’s call for dialogue comes as security forces intensify their operations, which have led to the deaths of several of his fighters and the surrender of others. In the five-minute video, Bello, armed and seated on a motorcycle in a forest, stressed that peace would only return if the Fulani, a group often involved in the violence, were no longer targeted by security forces and vigilante groups.
He criticized the political leaders, stating, “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.”
Bello also pointed out that former governors like Abdulaziz Yari and Mahmud Shinkafi had failed to solve the issues, adding that their approach empowered vigilante groups, further intensifying the conflict.
In his message, Bello confirmed the death of his mentor, Halilu Sububu, another notorious terror leader, who was killed in airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force. Despite this, he vowed that the violence would continue unless attacks on Fulanis were halted.
“Even if you kill us, it’s God who ordained that to happen, but it’s not by your power,” he said, adding that killing Fulani fighters would only embolden the younger generation to continue their fight.