THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has assured Nigerians that the notorious terrorist and bandit leader, Bello Turji, will soon be apprehended.
The assurance is coming in the wake of reports of the imposition of a Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) levy on the people of Moriki town in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State for the killing of his cows by the new commander of the Army base stationed inside Moriki.
Each family head was required to contribute N10,000, while unmarried adults were mandated to pay N2,000.
It was gathered that the villagers are proceeding with the payment despite the commander’s advice that they should not pay the money, and his promise never to harm Turji’s animals again.
Meanwhile, about fifteen local politicians and social activists are still in Turji’s hostage.
However, speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Gen. Musa expressed confidence in the military’s operations and commitment to addressing the security challenges across the country.
“Turji’s capture is imminent,” Musa declared. He described Turji as a “deranged individual” who wields temporary power, emphasizing that his capture is only a matter of time.
The CDS also urged Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism, advising communities not to provide any form of support or intelligence to bandits. General Musa stressed that informants within communities often hinder military efforts, making it difficult to track non-state actors who blend in with the local population.
He noted the challenges of asymmetric warfare, which involves combating enemies who do not wear uniforms and remain hidden among civilians. “If you don’t have the support of the community, it makes it extremely difficult,” Musa remarked.
Despite these challenges, the CDS reassured Nigerians that the armed forces, working alongside other security agencies, will continue to intensify their efforts to eliminate security threats and restore peace to affected regions. He called on both the public and the media to support the military’s mission.
Eighteen-Eleven Media