Bello Turji, a notorious figure linked to terrorist activities, has accused both the current Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, of politicizing the state’s security challenges.

Turji, who reportedly fled Zamfara due to intensified military operations against terrorist groups, made these claims in a newly released video. In the footage, Turji, armed and sitting on a new motorcycle, outlined conditions for peace in Zamfara.

He demanded that security forces and vigilante groups stop attacking and killing Fulanis in the state and surrounding areas.

He asserts that the actions of these local security entities exacerbate the ongoing conflict and violence.

Turji also criticized the ongoing blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, labelling it as political maneuvering that overlooks the welfare of the local people.

According to Turji, both leaders are not acting in the best interests of their constituents, using the state’s security crisis to advance their political agendas.

Turji said, “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.”

He said the armed conflict in Zamfara predated both Messrs Dauda and Matawalle and was happening since the time 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 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.

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.

He added, “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.”