The Nigerian military has declared an all-out war against notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, vowing to capture him “dead or alive” as they intensify efforts to end his reign of terror in the North West region.
Turji, who has been orchestrating a series of violent attacks, has brazenly mocked the military in a series of videos circulating on social media, claiming he is untouchable. In a recent video obtained by The Whistler, Turji boasted that he could not be apprehended and taunted security forces with promises of more attacks.
However, the Nigerian military has made its position clear: Turji’s time is up. At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa labeled Turji a “deranged individual” and assured that his capture is imminent. “It’s just a matter of time,” Musa declared. “We’re going to get him, and I can assure you it will be within the shortest possible time.”
Turji, emboldened by his perceived invincibility, recently reduced a levy he imposed on the Zamfara community from N50 million to N30 million, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of his cattle by the military. He demanded that each household in the community contribute N10,000 and youths pay N3,000 to make up the amount within three days.
General Musa criticized the levies as a sign of Turji’s desperation, stating, “They know the money they’re getting is blood money.” He urged the public to cooperate with the military and security agencies to deny terrorists any support, including information on troop movements. “Do not give them any support,” he pleaded.
Musa emphasized that the persistence of terrorism in parts of the North is partly due to local informants, and he announced plans for a comprehensive review of military operations in the North West and other affected regions.
He added, “The intention of these bandits is to show they are present; it is an act of criminality. We appeal to Nigerians not to provide any support.”
Recalling past incidents, Musa mentioned how terrorists were alerted by locals when military vehicles were immobilized, allowing them to attack in large numbers. He cautioned, “If you think these guys are on your side, remember they are a bunch of deranged people with no allegiance to anyone. Today they may seem like allies; tomorrow, they could turn against you.”
He also urged Nigerians to stand firm and cooperate with the military, noting that while security forces can’t be everywhere, they are working to build local capacities for self-defense until reinforcements arrive.
