The Nigerian military has reiterated its commitment to neutralizing the notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, who has been wreaking havoc in the Northwest region of the country.
In a recent interview, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, assured Nigerians that Turji is being actively tracked and will soon be brought to justice.
According to Onumajuru, the military has been working tirelessly to track down Turji, who has gone into hiding. “As I speak, Bello Turji is hiding, completely in hiding, and the Armed Forces are tracking him. The Armed Forces continuously track him, and very soon, he will be eliminated,” Onumajuru stated.
The military chief urged Nigerians to be patient, explaining that tracking and neutralizing bandit leaders requires time due to the nature of their movements. However, he assured that Turji’s activities in the Northwest would soon come to an end as the military remains on his trail.
Onumajuru also responded to allegations that Turji has been collecting taxes from residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area. He called on the affected residents to reject any such payments, assuring them of military protection. “Do not accede to requests for protection levies in whatever form because we have troops who guarantee farm security, who open space to go about your normal activities,” he said.
The military’s efforts to eliminate Turji come amid growing concerns about the rise of banditry in the Northwest region. The Nigerian government has been working to address the issue, with the military launching several operations to track down and neutralize bandit leaders.
The elimination of Turji would be a significant blow to the bandit groups operating in the region. The military’s efforts to track him down are ongoing, and Nigerians are eagerly awaiting news of his capture or neutralization.