“Matawalle Knows Bello Turji’s Whereabouts, His N20 Million Bounty Is a Joke” – Sokoto Cleric Murtala Bello Asada

In a scathing attack, prominent Sokoto-based Islamic cleric, Murtala Bello Asada, has accused Nigerian Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of knowing the whereabouts of notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji, and mocked the minister’s N20 million bounty on him, calling it a “huge joke.”

The cleric, speaking during a sermon in a viral video shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, claimed that Matawalle had provided support to bandit leaders, including donating Toyota Hilux vehicles to terrorists like Turji, Halilu Sububu, and Ada Allero.

Asada questioned the sincerity of the minister’s efforts to combat terrorism, asserting, “How dare he place a monetary bounty on Bello Turji? Does he take us for gullible fellows? The government and those in power know where the terrorists are living.”

He went on to accuse Matawalle of complicity in the region’s security crisis, claiming the minister had undermined the country’s fight against banditry by enabling criminals. “I, Murtala Bello, wish to state unequivocally that the current Defence Minister has bought vehicles for bandits,” he added.

The cleric further called on divine intervention to expose those mismanaging Nigeria’s security apparatus, sparking public outrage over the government’s handling of the escalating violence in the northern regions. Many citizens now question the true commitment of key officials in the war against banditry.