Bello Turji, a notorious terrorist leader, recently accused Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara State, of empowering terrorists during his governorship. Turji claimed that Matawalle’s amnesty program, which offered financial incentives and protection to bandits who surrendered their weapons, unintentionally strengthened criminal elements and led to an increase in banditry.
In a video released on July 18, Turji asserted that some bandits used the amnesty program to relocate to urban areas, where they now orchestrate criminal activities in rural regions. Turji also alleged that recovered arms and ammunition from bandits were stored at Government House, an accusation Matawalle has vehemently denied.
Matawalle’s supporters, the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, have dismissed Turji’s claims as “a tissue of lies” and “baseless.” They clarified that Government House does not have an armoury or any weapon storage facilities and defended Matawalle’s efforts against banditry as proactive and effective.
The Patriots emphasized that such accusations are part of a smear campaign and reaffirmed Matawalle’s commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, focusing on national security and peace.