• Says Bello Turji, wanted terrorist commander, is a dead man walking
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters(DHQ), has described Bello Turji, the wanted notorious terrorist commander, as a dead man walking.
Turji, had threatened to attack some communities in Zamfara State if his brother and foot soldiers arrested by troops were not released.
The DHQ, has also described those condemning the military’s precision bombing of the Lakurawa terrorists strongholds, killing their members and collaborators, as engaging in terrorist propaganda.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, made this known at a media briefing on update on military operations conducted in 2024.
According to Gen Buba,”Indeed, Bello Turji is merely a dead man walking. It will be insulting to try to join issues and words with a terrorist.
“Before him, there were other terrorists who boasted that they would deal with security forces. Today they are all taken out. We will do the same with other terrorist leaders like him.
“I am confirming to you that we have buried many of them in the battlefield because that is their date. So the remaining ones, including Bello Turji, are dead men walking”.
He said For those disputing the Christmas Day bombing of the Lakurawas terrorist group’s enclaves and killing of their collaborators, “This is what I will say. The first casualty of war is the truth. It is always the first casualty. So it shouldn’t be surprising when terrorists or their collaborators are saying things contrary to what really happened, to what we say.
“It will be insulting to the military to try to work against theirs. Please don’t give in to terrorist propaganda. They will not, and they are not happy that we have bombed them, destroying their ammunition and logistics dumps. Please don’t give in to terrorist propaganda. This is a Nigerian war for Nigerians”.
Giving a breakdown of operations conducted by the military, Buba, said, “From January till date, December 31, 2024, over 1,000 terrorist leaders and commanders as well as their replacements have been eliminated in our operations.
“Over the last 12 months, troops were confronted by several threats across the country ranging from armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, crude oil theft, violent extremism, insurgency as well as terrorism among others. Several of these threats adversely affected innocent citizens and disrupted peace and security in the country.
“Troops war effort was therefore designed and crafted to defeat and destroy the terrorist as well as dismantle their terror infrastructure across the country. Accordingly, troops continued, relentless, and painful pressure on the terrorist enclaves, hideouts and strongholds as an incentive to defeating the terrorist.
“Some of those eliminated in the course of the year include: Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mallam Saleh Umaru,
Mohammed Amadu, Chinemerem (aka Bam Bam), Jeremiah Uzuoma (aka Escoba), Tochukwu Awo (aka Ojoto) and Egwuatu amongst others.
“During the year, troops significantly degraded the military capabilities as well as the fighting capabilities of terrorist by neutralizing 10,937 terrorists, arresting 12,538 and rescuing 7,063 hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum N68,453,376,040.00 only.
“The breakdown of the recoveries are as follows: 4,332 AK47 rifles, 1,244 locally fabricated guns, 838 dane guns, 259 pump action guns, 128,496 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 45,445 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 5,103 cartridges, 2,131 assorted arms and 29,176 assorted ammunitions. Others are: 56,223,002 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,735,836 litres of illegally refined AGO, 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS amongst other item.
“Troops are focussed on increasingly deliver tangible benefits of their operations for the benefits of citizens. Additionally,troops seek to continue to heighten collaboration with neighbouring countries and regional bodies in order to tackle the menace of terrorism.
“Meanwhile, the armed forces assures that, many of what was witnessed in the outgoing outgoing year, are indicative of a major defeat of the terrorist in 2025. Importantly, troops in the battlefield are in high spirits, fully committed, devoted and believe in the justness of the cause.Troops will be going the extra mile in the new year to get the job done.
“On the whole, the war is not for the armed forces alone, but for all citizens. The military therefore urges for more citizens support in order to win the war.
“We assure you that a similar fate awaits others, including Bello Turji.