The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, assuring Nigerians that his days are numbered.
Speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television breakfast programme on Monday, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, confirmed that security forces are actively tracking Turji’s movements. However, he declined to disclose further details for operational security reasons.
Military Dismisses Claims of Struggles in Capturing Turji
Major General Onumajuru dismissed any speculation that the military is engaged in a prolonged struggle with Turji, insisting that the bandit leader is in hiding and under constant surveillance.
“First, I need to let you know that there is absolutely no forth and back between Bello Turji and the armed forces.
“As I speak Bello Turji is hiding, completely in hiding and the armed forces is tracking him, the Armed Forces continuously track him and very soon he will be eliminated,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to be patient, explaining that while tracking high-profile criminals takes time, the military remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle Turji’s operations in the North-West.
‘Don’t Pay Levy to Turji’ – Military Warns Sokoto Residents
Recent reports have confirmed Turji’s presence in a forest within Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Honourable Aminu Almustapha Boza, a lawmaker representing Sabon Birni Local Government Area, revealed in a telephone interview that Turji has been extorting local residents by imposing illegal levies.
In response, Major General Onumajuru urged the people of Sokoto to resist these demands, assuring them that the military is actively working to protect them.
“Talking about Bello Turji imposing fines, remember I did talk about protecting vulnerable communities. Now, the communities need to believe that the Armed Forces are protecting them and when they believe that it’s a question of calling anybody that asks you for protection money or ransom money bluff because the Armed Forces is there to protect you.
“So, I want to ask the communities now through your medium, do not accede to request for protection levy in whatever form because we have troops who guarantee farms security, who open space to go about your normal activities,” he said.
Military Intensifies Operations to Dismantle Turji’s Network
The military has previously vowed to eliminate Turji, who has long terrorized communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
During Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review programme on December 31, 2024, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, reiterated that Turji’s elimination is imminent.
Providing an update on military operations, General Musa stated:
“The update is that since he knows we’ve been after him, he has been operating underground and we are conducting operations.”
He further explained that security forces have been targeting Turji’s support network.
“What we have been doing, of recent, is that we are picking everybody close to him; all those giving him support in one way or the other, we have picked them, we have killed his commanders. It’s just a matter of time,” he said.
With sustained military efforts and intensified crackdowns on his associates, the Armed Forces remain confident that Turji’s capture or elimination is only a matter of time.
