Nigerian military vows to eliminate bandit leader Bello Turji, urges locals to resist extortion

The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to tracking and eliminating notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, assuring the public that his reign of terror will soon end.

Major General Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Operations, made this declaration on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

According to him, the military is actively monitoring Turji’s movements but refrained from disclosing further details.

“There is absolutely no forth and back between Bello Turji and the armed forces. As I speak, Bello Turji is completely in hiding, and the armed forces are tracking him. Very soon, he will be eliminated,” Onumajuru stated.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient, acknowledging that tracking such figures takes time but emphasizing that the military remains determined to dismantle his operations in northwestern Nigeria.

A Sokoto State lawmaker, Honourable Aminu Almustapha Boza, recently confirmed Turji’s presence in a forest within Isa Local Government Area, revealing that the bandit leader had been imposing taxes on residents.

However, Major General Onumajuru called on locals to resist the extortion, assuring them of military protection.

“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,” Major General Onumajuru said.