Today marks exactly one year since Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Major General Chris Musa pledged to Nigerians that the infamous bandit leader, Bello Turji, would be either captured or neutralized to end his terror campaign.
At a press briefing in Abuja on September 10, 2024, Gen. Musa confidently asserted that Turji’s violent grip over Zamfara and Sokoto States would soon be broken. He emphasized that the Nigerian Army, under his leadership, possessed the necessary capabilities to dismantle the terror network that had wreaked havoc across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.
Prior to this declaration, Turji had become a ghost-like figure, orchestrating kidnappings, murders, and destruction with impunity in the regions under his control.
Responding to the anguish of affected communities, Musa vowed that Turji’s era of brutality would soon be history.
During the conference, the CDS described Turji as a deranged individual whose downfall was imminent, promising that the military would soon bring him to justice.
“Regarding Turji, he is simply a disturbed man who believes he wields power, but I assure you, it’s only a matter of time,” Musa stated.
“We are determined to apprehend him, and I guarantee that this issue will be resolved swiftly.”
This assurance was met with hope and relief by Nigerians, especially those directly impacted by Turji’s violent acts. Confidence in the military’s strength to eliminate the bandit leader was high. Yet, a year later, the promise remains unfulfilled as Turji continues to evade capture, becoming an elusive figure who has outmaneuvered conventional military tactics.
Despite repeated commitments from the CDS and other military officials, Turji remains at large, fueling rumors that he might be untouchable-either due to insider informants tipping him off or other unknown factors.
For instance, a recent military raid successfully destroyed one of Turji’s hideouts and food depots, killing his son and several key aides. However, Turji himself managed to slip away, leaving many puzzled about how he escaped.
Emboldened, Turji has intensified his violent campaigns, brazenly attacking communities, abducting residents for ransom, and executing victims without hesitation.
At one point, Turji escalated his psychological warfare by recording and sharing videos of his atrocities, openly mocking security forces.
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In one such video, Turji appeared in full military gear, brandishing advanced weaponry, and directly challenged the Army Chief by name, daring him to deploy all available military resources to capture him.
Another video showed hostages held by Turji, with a ransom demand of N50 million for their release.
In a further taunt, Turji mocked the government and security agencies, questioning when the pursuit would begin and insinuating they were afraid of him.
Following the arrest of his close associate and mentor, Bako Wurgi, Turji issued threats via video, warning of violent reprisals and hostage killings if Wurgi was not freed immediately.
True to his word, Turji later attacked several Sokoto communities, abducting over 50 people and killing an unspecified number of others.
Besides Gen. Musa, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, has also spoken out on the matter.
In a 2024 military operations briefing in Abuja, Buba labeled Turji as a “dead man walking,” assuring that he would meet the same fate as many of his eliminated lieutenants.
“Bello Turji is nothing more than a walking corpse. It’s futile to engage with terrorists on their terms. Before him, others made similar boasts and have since been neutralized. We will do the same with him and others like him,” Buba declared.
“Those who lead these terror groups today once saw themselves as invincible champions. Where are they now? They lie buried. I warn current commanders: your end is near. We have buried many on the battlefield, and 2025 will be no different. They are dead men walking. It’s over.”
Yet, despite these stern warnings, a full year has elapsed with Turji still free to perpetrate kidnappings, killings, and terrorize innocent civilians, including women and children. This ongoing impunity raises questions about whether he will ever be brought to justice or if he enjoys protection from influential quarters.
As Nigerians watch anxiously, the nation awaits the day when Bello Turji will finally be captured, fulfilling the promise made by Chief of Defence Staff Major General Chris Musa.
