Bello Turji, the leader of a notorious bandit group, has confirmed imposing a ₦50 million levy on Moriki, a village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Turji, in his recent video reportedly recorded on September 10, confirmed the levy but also criticized prominent figures, including human rights lawyer, Bulama Bukarti.
This development comes days after Bukarti on his X handle, noted that the levy was initially set at ₦50 million but later slashed to ₦30 million following negotiations by the villagers.
The reduction was reportedly in response to compensation demands for the killing of Turji’s cattle by the army base’s new commandant stationed in Moriki.
In the 5:42-minute video, Turji, armed with a sophisticated rifle and flanked by heavily armed foot soldiers in military camouflage, confirmed the levy and ridiculed Bukarti.
The bandit also mocked Dan Bello, a Hausa social media influencer known for satirical exposes of government corruption.
“I heard someone with a bald head… has released some documents saying Bello Turji has imposed a levy on Moriki people,” the terror kingpin said, noting it was true he did impose the levy.
However, he disputed the reason the lawyer gave for his [Mr Turji] action.
“What he said was true and he didn’t lie,” Mr Turji continued. “Bello Turji has spoken to Moriki people but I heard him saying it is because they have killed 50 of our cattle. No! That was not what happened.”
“Listen to what we are telling you,” he continued, referring to Mr Bukarti and Dan Bello.
“Yes, you are right, we imposed a ₦50 million levy on Moriki, but they have killed our brothers and 11 herds of cattle. So calculate it, it’s 1,707. So call anyone in Moriki to prove me wrong,” Mr Turji said, claiming a herd of camels were also killed.
The terror kingpin further claimed that some of his people were shot to death “in front of Birnin Yero’s Juma’at Mosque.”
He said that there were two other young girls who were wrongly killed by the military operatives in Moriki.
“Listen to me, you Moriki people. I was born here and so were you,” Mr Turji said. “There was never a time when a soldier from Enugu or Port Harcourt would be posted here and kill your brothers, and you would be happy and jubilant, and we would allow you to go free, and the west dogs would continue ranting about it.”
Meanwhile, Bukarti, in another post, said Turji’s attempts to intimidate him will fail.
“Turji attack is an attempt to intimidate me, but it will fail,” said Bukarti.
“This is not the first time I have faced such threats Abubakar Shekau, the ruthless Boko Haram leader, targeted me on several occasions. I did not back down then, and I certainly won’t now. Shekau is gone, and by God’s grace, Turji will soon follow.”
