In a significant development in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that notorious terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, has expressed his willingness to surrender.
General Musa made this disclosure on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, stating that Turji’s decision to surrender comes on the heels of the military’s relentless onslaught against his group.
“We have taken out his second in command, we have taken out most of his lieutenants, in fact, he is forced now to release most of the people under him. I am telling you that recently he is beginning to say that he doesn’t want anything, he is ready to surrender,” General Musa said.
The Defence Chief, however, maintained that the military will not spare anyone who has engaged in killing innocent citizens. “We want to take everybody out. Anybody who has killed should go, people like him should not be allowed to stay,” he emphasized.
This development is a major breakthrough in the military’s efforts to degrade the capabilities of terrorist groups operating in the North West region. The military has recently intensified its operations against Turji’s group, resulting in the neutralization of several key commanders.
According to a statement by the Defence Director, Edward Buba, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralized Turji’s second in command, Aminu Kanawa, as well as other top lieutenants, including Dosso (Bello Turji’s younger brother) and Danbokolo (one of Turji’s closest allies).
The statement also revealed that over 24 fleeing terrorists from Turji’s camp were neutralized around Gebe and Isa LGA of Sokoto State, as well as around Gidan Rijiya in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.
As the military continues to pile pressure on Turji’s group, it remains to be seen how this development will play out. One thing is certain, however: the military is committed to bringing those responsible for violence and terror to justice.
By Chukwuemeka Opara, Defence Correspondent