Nigeria, Dec. 14 -- Terrorism kingpin Bello Turji, in a new video released on Saturday, has responded to the raging controversy surrounding his group's contacts with the Zamfara State Government, when the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, was the governor of the state.

Mr Turji denied claims that he collected money from Mr Matawalle during negotiations for a peace deal. He, however, admitted meeting the then-governor at the Government House in the course of the negotiations.

The controversy began when Musa Kamarawa, a former aide to Mr Matawalle, narrated how his former principal allegedly contracted terrorism kingpins to supply cows for Sallah and wedding ceremonies in the state.

Mr Kamarawa further claimed that Mr Mataw...