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Terrorism: Bandit Leader Names Two Ex-Governors for Fueling North-West Bloodshed

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Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has accused two former northern governors of fueling insecurity and bloodshed in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

Turji made the allegations in a viral video that surfaced on Sunday, claiming that past political leadership in the two states laid the foundation for the prolonged violence ravaging the region.

SEE ALSO: Kidnap Scare: Abuja Students Bolt After Mistaking Soldiers For Bandits

He alleged that former administrations armed vigilante groups, popularly known as Yan Banga, whom he accused of disproportionately targeting Fulani communities and escalating the cycle of violence.

The bandit leader also confirmed his participation in a series of peace meetings with the Zamfara State Government during the tenure of a former governor.

However, he vehemently denied allegations that he received ₦30 million or any form of material inducement to participate in the peace process.

Efforts to get reactions from the former governors mentioned by Turji proved abortive at press time, as calls placed to their mobile phones were neither answered nor returned. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to them also elicited no response.

Sources close to the former governors dismissed Turji’s claims, insisting that the words of a known terrorist should not be taken seriously.

One of the sources questioned the credibility of the allegations, describing them as attempts by Turji to portray himself as a victim.

Another source described the claims as outright falsehood, insisting that a person accused of serial killings lacks the moral standing to make such accusations.

The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation declined to comment on the development.

In the video, Turji specifically accused former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states of calling for his arrest and investigation, while alleging that they were responsible for the calamities that befell both states.

“We openly say that former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto states are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” he claimed.

He sought to distance himself from any political affiliation, insisting that he was not acting on behalf of any politician or interest group.

“We are not politicians, and we are not tools of politicians. There is no human being backing us,” Turji said, adding that he was speaking “before Allah alone.”

Despite his claims, Nigerian security agencies have repeatedly identified Turji as one of the most dangerous bandit leaders operating in the North-West, with the military previously declaring him wanted for terror-related activities.

Turji’s comments followed accusations by a former peace negotiator, Musa Kamarawa, who was engaged by the Zamfara and Sokoto state governments during earlier non-kinetic engagements with armed groups.

Kamarawa had alleged that Turji collected ₦30 million during peace talks held at the Government House in Gusau.

Responding, Turji dismissed the allegation as false, insisting that although peace talks took place, neither he nor any Fulani leader acting on his behalf received money or vehicles.

“By Allah, since I was born, I have never possessed even five million naira. We were never given the ₦30 million you are talking about,” he said.

According to him, the meetings were aimed solely at reducing violence and restoring peace in the affected states.

He accused Kamarawa of betraying the trust built during the negotiations and peddling what he described as false and malicious testimony.

Meanwhile, security forces have recorded another success in the fight against banditry in Sokoto State with the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Na’Allah, during a joint operation in Isa Local Government Area.

A security source disclosed that Na’Allah was shot dead on Friday during an interception between Girnashe and Kuka Tara villages in Tsabre Ward by a combined team of Mobile Police operatives, community guards, and the Nigerian Army.

Na’Allah was said to be a cousin of the infamous bandit leader, Ibrahim Chimmo, believed to be operating within the Sububu Forest axis.

The source said the operation marked a significant step in dismantling the leadership structure of bandit groups in the state, coming days after troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division neutralised another bandit kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu, in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmad Usman, commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their sustained efforts and successes in the ongoing fight against banditry in Sokoto State.

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‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.

Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.

“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.

ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima

“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”

Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.

“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.

Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.

“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.

Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.

 

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FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Contempt: Four SANs to be Served by Courier

Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).

Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.

READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.

The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.

He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.

Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.

Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.

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Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future

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To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.

This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.

Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.

Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”

Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”

READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women

Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”

The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.

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