- Says Over 1000 Terrorists Killed In 2024
- Challenges Amnesty International To Prove Allegations
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Nigerian Military Defence Headquarters has described the recent threats by notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, as a mere bluster of a hopeless man clutching at straws.
The Nigeria Army described Turji as a “dead man walking” who would soon meet his Waterloo like other terrorist commanders before him regardless of his “empty rhetorics”.
The Defence Headquarters said this in response to Turji’s threats against the military and communities in Zamfara State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said this during a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday,
Buba said, “Bello Turji is merely a dead man walking. It would be insulting to engage in a war of words with a terrorist. Before him, others who dared to boast against security forces have all been neutralised. The same fate awaits Turji and his likes.
“These so-called terrorist leaders who think they are untouchable will eventually meet their end. Many have been buried on the battlefield, and 2025 will see the same fate for others. Their time is up.”
Recall that Turji, had in a viral video, challenged the military, accusing it of targeting elderly people and demanding the release of a detained associate, Baka Wurgi.
He further threatened to unleash terror on Zamfara residents in 2025 if his demands were not met.
Meanwhile, while reacting to report on Amnesty International’s call for an investigation into the Sokoto accidental bombing, Buba stated that the military would cooperate once the rights group honors its invitation to discuss allegations it previously leveled against the armed forces.
“We invited Amnesty International to discuss their allegations against us, which we found shocking and misleading. We await their response. When they honour that invitation, we will address their latest request,” Buba said.
He urged Nigerians to disregard terrorist propaganda about the Sokoto incident, saying, “Terrorists thrive on propaganda. Don’t let them manipulate the narrative. The bombing targeted terrorists, not innocent civilians.”
Highlighting the military’s successes in 2024, Buba revealed that over 10,000 terrorists were killed, 12,538 arrested, and 7,063 kidnapped victims rescued in various operations across the country.
“During the year, we neutralized 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538, and rescued 7,063 hostages. We also recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 rounds of ammunition,” Buba disclosed.
According to Buba, some notable terrorist leaders eliminated in 2024 include Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mallam Saleh Umaru, Mohammed Amadu, and Jeremiah Uzuoma, among others.
