From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that the Armed Forces will arrest the notorious terrorist and bandit leader, Bello Turji, alive in the shortest time.
Musa, who condemned the activities of the kingpin, who has been terrorizing residents of Sokoto and its environs, said the bandit seems to be gaining popularity in his brutal acts because of the support he gets from some unscrupulous members of the communities who work for him as spies.
He said, if the bandit didn’t have the support of some greedy members of communities, it would have been extremely difficult for Turji to operate successfully.
The CDS, therefore, called on communities to work and support the military and other security agencies to protect them and defeat the adversaries.
Musa, who gave the assurance at a media briefing on the 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 on villages will be addressed.
Musa said, “On the issue of Turji, like I said, he is just a deranged individual who feels powerful, 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 the issue of payment of levy (to bandits). That is what they live on. And it shows you their desperation.
“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, also 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 areas where this thing is continuing is because we have informants within the communities.”
Speaking on the operations in the North-West, 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 Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl Stroke, both within the North-West region. We have seen the need for us to harmonize those operations into one operation like we did in the North-East where you have operation Hadin Kai.
“The same thing is being done now for the North-West 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 en masse. 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 government, 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 that, “Statistics on major roads that have been reopened, on markets that have been reopened, also shows that the troops in the North-West have done well and economic activities have increased. The farming planting season was also good. We are working towards ensuring that the harvest is also as successful as planting. So, Borno in the North-East remains a success.”
Onumajuru stated that the security situation in the North Central was stable, “Going down to other theatres, 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 in the North-West.
“The rest of the North Central is relatively stable. Operations of militia groups in Benue and Nasarawa states have been reduced. Likewise, the spate 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 also stated that the security situation in the South-East was stable, and the sit-at-home order has been contained.
Onumajuru said, “In the South-East, the situation 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 Plateau State has fully stabilized because of the operations. Also, militia operations in Benue and Nasarawa are being reduced through the activities of troops deployed in those areas. In the South-West, the South-West has always remained very peaceful.”
