Making excuses? DHQ says Bello Turji has gone into hiding

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has once again, repeated its promise to either capture or eliminate the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.

Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, who made the declaration on Monday during an interview on a Channels Television programme, said though the wanted terrorist has gone into hiding, the Nigerian military is actively tracking him and he will soon be neutralised.

“First, I need to let you know that there is absolutely no forth and back between Bello Turji and the Armed Forces,” Onumajuru said.

“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.

“We urge Nigerians to be patient; tracking and neutralising bandit leaders requires time due to the nature of their movements.

“Turji’s activities in the Northwest would soon come to an end as the military remained on his trail.”

Onumajuru who also spoke on allegations by a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Al-mustapha Boza, that Turji has resurfaced in the eastern part of the state and is collecting taxes from residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, called on the affected residents to reject any such payments, assuring them of military protection.

READ ALSO: Bello Turji on the run as troops dismantle stronghold in Zamfara

He urged the residents to resist any form of extortion by bandits, while insisting that the military are on the ground to ensure their safety.

“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,” he said.

The latest comment is coming over five months after the Chief of Defence Staff Maj Gen Chris Musa vowed that the Iberian military would bring Turji to book for his crimes.

The CDS had, during a press conference in Abuja on September 10, boasted that it was just a matter of time before the dreaded bandit whom he described as deranged would meet his waterloo.

But in spite of all the assurances and an all out war declared on Turji, he has continued to loom large, exuding an air of invincibility and seemingly out of range for the security agencies to bring to book.

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