By Muhammad Mamman
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims linking notorious bandit leader Bello Turji to the party, insisting that any APC membership card associated with him is fake.
In a statement issued on Monday, the party described reports suggesting Turji’s affiliation with the APC as “false, misleading and politically motivated,” stressing that the party has no ties with criminal elements or bandit groups operating in the state.
The APC said preliminary checks revealed that the purported membership card circulating online did not originate from its official registration process. According to the party, its membership records are centrally documented and verifiable, adding that Turji’s name does not appear in its database.
“The APC in Zamfara State will not, under any circumstance, associate with banditry or criminality,” the statement read. “Any document suggesting otherwise is a clear forgery aimed at tarnishing the image of the party.”
The party further accused unnamed political actors of attempting to exploit the state’s security challenges for partisan gain, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of heightening tension.
Reaffirming its support for ongoing security operations, the Zamfara APC pledged continued cooperation with security agencies to restore peace across affected communities. It also urged the public to rely on credible sources and avoid sharing content that could undermine security efforts or public trust.
The controversy comes amid sustained military and security operations against armed groups in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West, where authorities have vowed to clamp down on banditry and related crimes.
