In a provocative video message, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has dared Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Murtala Asada, to confront his armed group on the battlefield. Turji, whose terror group has wreaked havoc across northern Nigeria, challenged Asada to move beyond religious preaching and engage directly in combat.
The bandit leader also responded to accusations made by security analyst Bulama Bukarti, acknowledging the imposition of a N50 million levy on Moriki town in Zamfara State. Turji justified the levy, claiming it was a response to the killing of his group’s cattle.
Turji further alleged that the immediate past governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, had backed the insecurity plaguing the country. Matawalle has denied these allegations.
The video message has sparked concerns about the escalating violence and boldness of bandit groups in northern Nigeria.
