From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said that the Armed Forces will do everything in its powers to arrest the notorious terrorist and bandit leader, Bello Turji, alive in the shortest possible time.
Musa, who condemned the activities of the terrorists who has been terrorizing residents of Sokoto and its environs said the bandits seems to be gaining popularity in his brutal acts because of the support he gets from some unscruplous members of the communities who work for him as spies.
He said that if the bandit dint have the support of some greedy members of the community, it would have made it extremely very difficult for him to operate successfully.
He therefore called on the communities to work and support the military and their security agencies to protect them and defeat the adversaries.
Gen Musa, who gave the assurance at a media briefing on operations of the armed forces and security agencies conducted across the country, described Turji, as a “deranged individual”, saying the issue of levies imposed by Turji and other bandits will be addressed.
Musa said, “On the issue of Turji, like I said, he is just a deranged individual who feels power, but I can bet you that it’s just a matter of time.
“It is a matter of time; we’re going to get him, and I can assure you that it will be within the shortest possible time. We’re going to address that issue on the issue of payment of levy (to bandits). That is what they live on. And it shows you the desperation they are in.
“One, even when they get the money, they don’t have a way to use it. Two is that the money they’re getting, they know, is blood money. And that is why we all must come together to work with members of the armed forces and security agencies to deny them the ability to move freely within our communities.”
The CDS, said “Please do not give them any support. Do not give them information on the movement of troops because this is what is happening. Most of the area where this thing is continuing is because we have informants within the communities.”
Speaking on the operations in the NorthWest, the CDS, said “We have reviewed the entire operation and realized that we need to harmonize our operations together. As you notice, we have Operation Hadrin Daiji and Operation Whirl Stroke, both within the Northwest region. We have seen the need for us to harmonize those operations into one operation like we did in the Northeast where you have operation Hadin Kai.
“The same thing is being done now for the Northwest operation. We have one unified operation. It’s going to be called Operation Kasar Yamma which is securing the North West. Now the intention is to ensure that we synergize all our efforts in addressing the security challenges in the Northwest.
“So now what we are doing is that since we are harmonizing the whole operation, we will come under one commander. And then the commander will be able to utilize all the equipment and troops together to ensure that we address this critically. And I think that’s the best solution we have for it.
“And I can assure you, all the assets that are required to do that will be done.
“The bandits intend to just show that they are present. And that’s why we’re appealing to Nigerians not to provide any support. If you remember, the last time we had this issue where our APC was, the MRAP was bogged down, and the terrorists came. It was some people who called them and told them that the troops were having issues with their vehicle and they should come around. And they came in mass. That was what exactly happened. And that’s why we’re appealing to individuals.”
Earlier in his address on the success of military operations, the Chief of Defence Operations, Major General Emeka Onumajuru said a total of 125, 517 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered to troops.
Onumajuru said, “ “There has also been the relocation of IDPs, over 60,000 IDPs in conjunction with the Borno State governments, thereby decongesting some of the IDP camps.
“Our adversaries, about 125,517 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered. And also, those in war work attunement have been successfully moved to Operation Safe Corridor Gombe as part of our non-kinetic lines of operations.”
Onumajuru added, “Statistics on major roads that have been reopened, on markets that have been reopened, also shows that the troops in the northwest have done well and economic activities have increased. The farming planting session was also good. We are working towards ensuring that the harvest is also as successful as planting. So, Borno in the northeast remains a success. “
Onumajuru stated that the security situation in the North Central is stable.
He said, “Going down to other theatres in the north central is also stable, less the challenges we’ll have in the Shiroro areas in Niger state and also some other areas within the same state. However, we are tackling the situations as part of the overall challenges we’ll have in the northwest.
“The rest of the north central is relatively stable. Operations of militia groups in Benue and Nasarawa states have been reduced. Likewise, the speed of kidnapping in these general areas.
“And our operations in this area were based on key four pillars. First was offensive operations which were conducted to clear all major infractions along key pipelines, particularly the Trans-Niger pipeline and other areas as identified by the NNPC.
“We’ve also been able to carry out deterrent operations, having cleared those areas, and ensure that oil thieves and militants do not have access to pipeline routes,” he added.
He also stated that the security situation in the Southeast is stable, and the sit-at-home orders has been contained.
Onumajuru said, “In the Southeast, the situation in the Southeast is also stable. A large number of IPOB and ESN have been neutralized.
“And also, there’s a noticeable containment in their ability to enforce sit-at-home on Mondays. This was a key weapon of IPOB, fully weaponized, and now we are beginning to reduce the ability of sit-at-home to improve socio-economic activities. The effect of IPOB in the region is gradually reducing.”
“The crisis in Platte State has fully stabilized because of the stabilization operations. Also, militia operations in Benyo and Nasarawa are being reduced through the activities of troops deployed in those areas. In the Southwest, the Southwest has always remained very peaceful.”
