Bello Turji: How We Purchased Military Gun Truck — Terrorism Suspect Tells Court
A witness has testified before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, explaining how one Musa Kamarawa assisted notorious bandit, Kachalla Halilu, in purchasing a military gun truck used for terrorist activities in northern Nigeria.
The witness, identified as ‘ABC’ for security reasons, appeared as the first prosecution witness (PW1) in the terrorism case against Kamarawa and seven others, including bandit leader Bello Turji.
The Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), filed an 11-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024) against the eight defendants, four of whom remain at large.
According to the charge filed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, the defendants include Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor, Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma.
The four at-large defendants are Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad, and Sani Lawal.
At Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, moved an ex-parte motion dated March 12, seeking witness protection.
Justice Nwite granted the motion and ordered the commencement of the trial.
ABC testified that he had known the first defendant, Musa Kamarawa, since childhood.
He recounted how Kamarawa invited him to Kano for the wedding Fatiha of the daughter of a former DSS Director of Sokoto Command.
Upon arriving at Kamarawa’s residence, ABC met Sani Lawal Gibiya, who was staying there at the time.
They then proceeded to the home of the Chairman of Isa Local Government Area (LGA), Sokoto State, in Kamarawa’s Honda Accord 2018 model.
While at the chairman’s residence, Kamarawa and the chairman spoke privately, said the witness.
“While we were there, Musa and the LGA chairman excused themselves; I don’t know what they were discussing. When they finished, Musa brought a key to a Hilux car and told us that we would be going with the car. He then left his own car in the chairman’s house,” ABC said.
Upon arrival in Kano late at night, ABC and Sani lodged at Tahir Guest Palace, while Kamarawa stayed at a more expensive hotel.
The next day, after attending the wedding, they began their return journey but had to spend the night in Katsina because it was late.
The following morning, they continued through Zurmi LGA, Zamfara State. Kamarawa then stated his intention to visit his home and meet his in-laws in Shinkafi LGA.
During the trip, Kamarawa contacted an individual, whom he later revealed to be Kachalla Halilu. They passed a military checkpoint before meeting Halilu at a designated spot near the forest.
“After we left the checkpoint, he called Kachalla Halilu, who told him to stop at the usual spot. We were there when Kachalla came out from the forest with his boys,” ABC said.
“After talking with Musa (Kamarawa), they gave him money. Katanla and his boys were well-armed with guns and covered their faces. Musa told me that I and Sani will escort him to buy a car, a Peugeot 406,” he added.
He later sought to convert the money from Naira to CFA through the help of some individuals in Illela LGA, Sokoto State, near the Nigeria-Niger border.
“That night, Aminu, who is the elder brother to Musa (Kamarawa), called one agent who knows where to buy good cars. In the morning, the agent came with a motorcycle, and we went to where they sell the cars.
“We bought a 406 ash colour. We went to the owner of the car, a Lebanese, and bought it for 1.8 million cefa. Then they gave us 200 cefa as our commission to share between myself, Sani, and Aminu Mohammed,” he said.
Kamarawa then instructed the agent to source a military gun truck, also called a Buffalo.
The agent informed them that such vehicles were available in Libya but had serial numbers that would likely prevent clearance by Nigerian Customs. Instead, he referred them to Gaya in the Niger Republic, where they could acquire the truck.
In Gaya, Kamarawa arranged for someone to drive the newly purchased Peugeot 406 while they travelled separately.
Upon arrival, they inspected multiple military trucks and negotiated the price in secrecy. Eventually, the purchase was finalised, and Aminu was tasked with delivering the truck to Nigeria.
ABC testified that Kamarawa insisted on personally delivering the truck to Kachalla Halilu. Upon arrival at Sububu Forest, Halilu’s group celebrated the purchase by firing gunshots.
“I was afraid, but Kamarawa asked why. I told him I wasn’t used to such gunfire,” ABC said. “They delivered the truck, and we took pictures—myself, Kamarawa, Halilu, and another unknown individual.”
The witness added, “After the pictures, we went to Shinkarfi, then to Sokoto. On our way, the 1st defendant gave Sani and me N200,000 each. When we arrived, I went to my house.
“After some months, I was told that Musa was arrested, and he told his wife to ask me to switch off my phone before the police arrested me. In the morning, I reported myself to the State CID Sokoto command and made a statement, and I was investigated,” he said.
Following ABC’s testimony, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to May 23 and 26 for cross-examination and continuation of trial.
Earlier, the judge denied bail to Kamarawa, Hashimu (a.k.a. Doctor), Samuel Chinedu, and Lucky Chukwuma.
While the judge noted that a suspect in a criminal trial is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he stated that the case is of national importance and the terrorism charge is not one to be taken for granted.
Justice Nwite held that the prosecution had proven that the defendants had the ability to interfere in the trial and proceeded to dismiss the bail application.
Bello Turji: How We Purchased Military Gun Truck — Terrorism Suspect Tells Court is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
