A new video has surfaced online featuring Bello Turji – a figure widely reported to be associated with armed banditry and terrorist activities in Nigeria’s North-West – in which he narrates an alleged relationship with the country’s Defence Minister. The 12-minute clip, which began circulating on social media platforms on Wednesday evening, has sparked widespread concern and calls for immediate verification of the claims.
In the video, Turji speaks in Hausa, addressing the camera directly as he makes references to “interactions” with the Defence Minister over a period of several years. He claims the relationship involved discussions around security operations in the North-West, but provides no visual or documentary evidence to support his assertions.
The video does not specify the exact nature of the alleged relationship or the timeline of the purported interactions. Security analysts have warned against taking the claims at face value, noting that Turji has a history of making controversial statements to gain media attention and disrupt government efforts to combat banditry in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina.
“We’ve seen this pattern before – armed groups use such claims to erode public trust in security institutions and create confusion,” said Dr. Aminu Abubakar, a Lagos-based security expert. “It’s critical that these allegations are investigated thoroughly, but we must avoid sensationalism until facts are established.
“ As of press time, the Office of the Defence Minister had not issued an official statement in response to the video. However, a senior government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the minister was “aware of the clip and has directed security agencies to investigate its origin and the veracity of the claims.
“ The video emerges at a time of heightened concern over insecurity in the North-West, where armed banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on communities have displaced thousands of people in recent months. The federal government has deployed additional troops to the region in recent weeks as part of a renewed push to dismantle armed groups and restore peace.
Civil society organizations have called for a transparent, independent investigation into the allegations. “Whether these claims are true or false, they demand a serious response,” said Fatima Sani, executive director of the North-West Peace Initiative.
“The public has a right to know the truth, and those responsible for any wrongdoing – whether in government or in armed groups – must be held accountable.”
