The Defense Headquarters has labeled a notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, as a “dead man walking” in response to his recent threats towards the military and communities in Zamfara State. Turji, in a widely circulated video, challenged the military, accused them of targeting elderly individuals, and demanded the release of a detained associate, Baka Wurgi. He warned of unleashing terror on Zamfara residents in 2025 if his demands were not met.
During an end-of-year briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defense Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, dismissed Turji’s threats as mere talk, asserting that the bandit leader would meet the same fate as other terrorist commanders who have been neutralized. Buba emphasized that individuals like Turji, who feel untouchable, will eventually face consequences on the battlefield.
In response to a call for an investigation into the Sokoto accidental bombing, Buba mentioned that the military is willing to cooperate once the rights group, Amnesty International, responds to their invitation for a discussion regarding previous allegations against the armed forces.
Buba urged Nigerians to not be swayed by terrorist propaganda surrounding the Sokoto incident, clarifying that the bombing targeted terrorists and not innocent civilians. He highlighted the military’s achievements in 2024, including the elimination of over 10,000 terrorists, the arrest of 12,538 individuals, and the rescue of 7,063 kidnapped victims in operations nationwide.
Additionally, the military recovered stolen crude oil valued at N68 billion, disrupting numerous oil theft operations, and denying criminals an estimated revenue of N68.4 billion. Notable terrorist leaders eliminated in 2024 were listed, and Buba expressed confidence in the military’s operations for 2025, foreseeing the total defeat of terrorist elements in Nigeria.