The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji has expressed readiness to surrender, following the military’s recent successful offensives against his network.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, General Musa disclosed that Turji has been significantly weakened, with his second-in-command and several top lieutenants neutralized in recent military operations. The crackdown has forced the terrorist kingpin to release many of his followers, signaling his willingness to lay down arms.
“They [terrorists] operate within the communities; the people know them. But by the time we receive information about their movements, it’s often delayed, allowing them to flee. However, I can tell you we have taken out his second-in-command and most of his key lieutenants. This has left him vulnerable, and he has recently indicated that he wants to surrender,” Musa explained.
Despite Turji’s alleged willingness to surrender, General Musa emphasized the military’s firm stance against sparing individuals who have taken innocent lives.
“Anyone who has killed innocent citizens must face justice. People like him should not be allowed to continue. We will take out everyone responsible for such atrocities,” he declared.
Military Gains Against Turji’s Network
The military has intensified its offensive against Turji’s camp. On Wednesday, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized Turji’s second-in-command, Aminu Kanawa, and inflicted critical injuries on key allies, including Dosso (Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo, one of his closest associates.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, the military confirmed the neutralization of several high-ranking commanders within Turji’s network. These include Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, Dan Kane, Basiru Yellow, Kabiru Gebe, Bello Buba, and Dan Inna Kahon-Saniya-Yafi-Bahaushe, among others.
Additionally, over 24 terrorists fleeing from Turji’s camp were neutralized during operations around Gebe and Isa Local Government Areas in Sokoto State, as well as Gidan Rijiya in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The military remains resolute in its mission to eliminate terrorist threats and ensure the safety of communities affected by Turji’s reign of terror.
