Dr Bulama Bukarti, a renowned lawyer and activist has explained that the deadly terrorist and bandits leader Bello Turji has chosen to constantly release propaganda videos as a ploy to whitewash his image from a terrorist, murderer, bandit, armed robber to a defender of Fulani people.
Daily News 24 reports that recently, Mr Turji has been in the news claiming victory against claiming victory against security agents and threatening those who call for his arrest or death.
In a video clip, the terrorist has also threatened Dr Bukarti, after the UK-based activist exposed Mr Turji for imposing a N30 million fine on residents of Moriki, a community in restive Zamfara state.
The terrorist kingpin had imposed the fine on the community after troops of the Nigerian Army allegedly killed 100 of his cattle.
But Mr Bukarti brought the attention of the public to the issue, leading to massive deployment of troops to Moriki, after the deadline for the payment had elapsed.
Posting on his X account, Mr Bukarti wrote that Mr Turji, a Fulani man, was attempting to burnish his image from a terrorist bandit leader and murderer to a defender of the Fulani ethnic group.
Also read: I’m ready for peace, war – Zamfara Bandit, Turji
According to him, “First, he is frantically trying to rewrite his appalling history as a terrorist, attempting to present himself as a defender of the Fulani people.
“But this effort is doomed to fail, as the world knows him for what he truly is: a vile kidnapper, armed robber, and murderer.
“The Fulani community resents him because they recognise him as a criminal tarnishing their reputation.
“Second, Turji’s outbursts are intended to intimidate those of us who expose his terrorism and urge the government to take decisive military action against him and his cohorts. However, his attempts to intimidate me will not work.
“He is nothing but a coward who preys on innocent, unarmed civilians and then scurries away like a rat. If he truly thinks he’s brave, he should confront the military face-to-face.
“Third, Turji feels emboldened to make these videos and issue threats because the government has woefully failed to adequately deal with him. He has been allowed to kill, maim, rob, rape and enslave with impunity, which has given him a false sense of power and immunity from legal accountability.”
‘I can’t be intimidated’
Meanwhile, Dr Bukarti has also responded to Mr Turji’s threat, telling him that he could not be intimidated by terrorists or bandits.
He said: “Turji attack is an attempt to intimidate me, but it will fail. 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. Terrorists like Turji continue to kill, kidnap, rape, rob and enslave innocent Nigerians with impunity. Now, he targets advocates for peace, justice and good governance like myself, emboldened by the government’s insufficient action against them.
“I urge the Nigerian government to intensify its military efforts against Turji and other repugnant terrorist gangs. They are currently the gravest threat to Nigeria’s peace, security and progress, and must be dealt with accordingly. As always, I will continue to do my part in this fight to rid our country of these despicable criminals.”
