The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has declared that the days of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji are numbered. He assured that the Nigerian Army remains committed to eliminating Turji and securing Zamfara State from bandit attacks.
Oluyede made this statement on Thursday while addressing journalists at the Headquarters of Operation Hadarin Daji in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The army chief revealed that Turji is currently on the run and will soon be taken down.
“Bello Turji is on the run as we speak, and wherever he goes, we follow him. Let him keep running—it is just a matter of time before he is removed from space,” Oluyede stated.
His remarks come as security forces intensify operations to eliminate bandit leaders terrorizing communities in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West region.
Oluyede highlighted recent victories in the fight against banditry, noting that the military has killed several notorious bandit leaders in recent months.
“We are pursuing them, and we intend to continue. It is the same with the fight against bandits. In the last few months, we have killed prominent bandit leaders like Samaila, Boga, and Boderi. All of them are dead,” he said.
The army chief assured that operations will not stop until peace is restored in Zamfara and other affected states.
“We will keep pursuing them to ensure the entire North-West is safe,” he added.
Oluyede acknowledged that troops are facing some challenges in the ongoing operations but expressed confidence that they would overcome them.
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He also called on Nigerians, especially residents of Zamfara and surrounding areas, to support the military by providing useful information about the movements of criminals.
“The fight against banditry requires cooperation. We urge citizens to assist the army and other security agencies by providing timely and accurate information,” he emphasized.
Oluyede’s visit to Zamfara was his first since he was appointed Chief of Army Staff on October 30, 2024. His presence comes at a time when troops are intensifying efforts to combat banditry and other security threats in the North-West region.
The Nigerian Army has vowed to continue the fight until all criminal elements are neutralized and peace is fully restored in the region.