Families of victims of insecurity in the North-West, under the aegis of the Coalition of Families Affected by Banditry, have asked President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into allegations against two former governors, Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara and Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto.
The coalition, representing families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to rampant banditry in the region, made the appeal in a petition forwarded to the President on Wednesday.
The families specifically asked Tinubu to order an investigation into claims by a bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, that policies initiated by Yerima and Bafarawa during their tenure as governors, particularly the seizure of grazing reserves and arming of vigilante groups, laid the groundwork for the escalation of banditry in the region.
Copies of the petition, signed by the Chairperson Otuba Rawene, Secretary Sani Usman, PRO Hajia Hadijat Abdullahi, and 20 others, were made available to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.
While noting that Turji is responsible for monumental bloodshed and carnage in the region and should be brought to book by security agencies, the families stressed that the allegations made by the bandit leader also deserve to be investigated.
The families insisted that a thorough investigation, and prosecution of those found culpable, would help end the cycle of violence in the North-West.
Parts of the petition read: “Many of us have lost loved ones in brutal killings, seen family members abducted, or been forced to flee our homes, leaving behind livelihoods and communities destroyed by violence.
“We write to Your Excellency with a profound sense of urgency and responsibility, seeking your support in addressing grave allegations recently made public by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.
“In a widely circulated video released in December 2025, Turji accused former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa of laying the foundations for the current insecurity crisis.
“Specifically, he claimed that their policies, including the seizure and sale of grazing reserves and the arming of vigilante groups that targeted Fulani communities, ignited ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal violence that evolved into today’s widespread banditry.
“While we acknowledge that Bello Turji is a wanted criminal responsible for countless atrocities, including the deaths of many of our relatives, we believe these allegations warrant serious and impartial scrutiny.
“As the proverb goes, ‘where there is smoke, there is fire.’ Having exhausted domestic avenues for justice, often met with inaction or allegations being dismissed, we turn to the President, a steadfast champion of human rights and accountability, as our last hope for uncovering the truth and ensuring justice prevails.
“The scale of suffering caused by banditry in North-West Nigeria is staggering and demands international attention.”
The petition noted that reliable reports indicate thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacements, and profound economic devastation due to banditry in the North-West.
“For instance, between 2018 and 2020 alone, armed banditry caused at least 4,900 deaths. In the first half of 2025, over 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and bandits, surpassing the total for all of 2024. Recent data document thousands abducted annually, with verified ransom payments reaching billions of naira (e.g., N2.57 billion between July 2024 and June 2025).
“These attacks have displaced hundreds of thousands, disrupted agriculture and trade, deepened poverty, and inflicted lasting trauma on survivors. Communities live in constant fear, with bandits imposing illegal levies and operating with impunity.
“As victims seeking justice and an end to this cycle of violence, we implore the Nigerian government to publicly launch a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into Bello Turji’s allegations against the named former governors. Offer technical assistance or support international oversight to ensure the probe is credible and free from political interference.
“Advocate for broader measures to address impunity, including sanctions if evidence of complicity in serious crimes emerges. We firmly believe that accountability for those who may have contributed to this crisis, regardless of their status, is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring peace,” the statement added.
Bello Turji: Victims’ families petition Tinubu, demand probe of Yerima, Bafarawa
