The military high command has described notorious terrorist commander Bello Turji as a “dead man walking” following his recent threats to attack communities in Zamfara State unless his brother and other detained accomplices are released.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, made this declaration while addressing ongoing military efforts against terrorism across the country.
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He stated, “From January till date, 31st December 2024, over 1,000 terrorist leaders and commanders as well as their replacements have been eliminated in our operations. We assure you that a similar fate awaits others, including Bello Turji.
“Indeed, Bello Turji is merely a dead man walking. It will be insulting to try to join issues and words with a terrorist. Before him, there were other terrorists who boasted that they would deal with security forces. Today they are all taken out. We will do the same with other terrorist leaders like him.
“I am confirming to you that we have buried many of them in the battlefield because that is their fate. So the remaining ones, including Bello Turji, are dead men walking.”
Addressing criticisms surrounding the military’s recent airstrikes on the Lakurawa terrorist enclave, Major General Buba dismissed claims disputing the precision and effectiveness of the operation, labeling them as “terrorist propaganda.”
“The first casualty of war is the truth. It is always the first casualty. So it shouldn’t be surprising when terrorists or their collaborators are saying things contrary to what really happened, to what we say.
“It will be insulting to the military to try to work against theirs. Please don’t give in to terrorist propaganda. They will not, and they are not happy that we have bombed them, destroying their ammunition and logistics dumps. This is a Nigerian war for Nigerians.”
The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups until peace and security are fully restored in affected regions.
