The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that Bello Turji, a notorious terrorist leader operating in northern Nigeria, has signaled his willingness to surrender to authorities.
General Musa disclosed this development during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, attributing Turji’s decision to intensified military operations that have disrupted his network and diminished his influence.
According to the Defence Chief, the sustained pressure from the military has not only forced Turji into reconsidering his activities but has also led to the release of numerous hostages previously held by his group. The recent elimination of Turji’s second-in-command and several of his key lieutenants was identified as a major turning point in the military’s operations.
“Through our operations, we have successfully taken out his second-in-command and most of his key lieutenants. This has weakened his operations significantly, forcing him to release many hostages,” General Musa stated. “Now, he is indicating that he is ready to surrender.”
General Musa explained that the military’s approach is designed to tackle insurgents embedded within local communities, though he acknowledged the operational challenges posed by the dynamics of such environments. He noted that terrorists often use their familiarity with local terrain to evade capture, delaying the relay of actionable intelligence to security forces.
“They (terrorists) operate within communities, and people in those areas are often aware of their movements. However, by the time information reaches us, they might have already moved,” he said.
Despite these challenges, the Defence Chief expressed confidence in the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the region, emphasizing that the current strategy has been effective in neutralizing key figures and weakening their operational capacity.
The possible surrender of Bello Turji is viewed as a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism in northern Nigeria, where his group has been responsible for numerous atrocities, including kidnappings, killings, and community attacks.
General Musa also reiterated the military’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, calling on citizens to provide timely intelligence to support ongoing operations. He assured that the armed forces remain resolute in their mission to restore peace and stability across affected regions.
The surrender of a high-profile terrorist leader like Turji would be a critical step in addressing the security challenges plaguing the region, further demonstrating the effectiveness of intensified counterterrorism measures.
