Bello Turji’s movement tracked, will be eliminated soon—Military
Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, urged Nigerians to be patient as tracking down bandit leaders can take time.
Turji Turji, the bandits’ kingpin, poses for a portrait with Major General Emeka Onumajuru, the Chief of Defence Operations.
The Nigerian military has once again promised Nigerians that the renowned bandits’ commander, Bello Turji, is being pursued and will be killed shortly.
Major General Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Operations, said this in an interview with Channels Television’s breakfast program, The Morning Brief, on Monday. Major General Onumajuru stated that the military is aware of Turji’s current position but will not comment further.
“First and foremost, I must state unequivocally that Bello Turji and the military forces do not exchange information. “As I speak, Bello Turji is hiding, completely in hiding, and the armed forces is tracking him, the armed forces continuously track him, and very soon he will be eliminated,” stated General Onumajuru, major.
He urged Nigerians to be patient with the military forces, stating that hunting down bandit leadership can take time in some circumstances, but that Turji’s operation in the country’s northwest will not last long.
‘Do not pay levy to Turji.’ Last Monday, Honourable Aminu Almustapha Boza, a Sokoto State politician, confirmed Turji’s presence in one of the forests in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto.
The legislator, who represents Sabon Birni Local Government region in the state House of Assembly, told our correspondent over the phone that Turji has been collecting taxes from residents in the region.
However, Major General Onumajuru has urged the residents of Sokoto to call Turji’s bluff and refuse to pay the levy, guaranteeing them of military protection.
“Regarding Bello Turji’s imposition of fines, remember that I already addressed the need of protecting vulnerable groups.” Now, communities must believe that the armed forces are safeguarding them, and once they do, it is a matter of calling anyone who asks for protection money or ransom money a liar because the armed forces are there to protect you.
“So, I want to ask the communities now through your medium, do not accede to requests for protection levies in whatever form because we have troops who guarantee farm security, who open space to go about your normal activities,” stated Maj. Gen. Onumajuru.