The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji is in a state of panic as a result of the intensified military operations against terrorists in Nigeria’s North West region. General Musa made this statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at their inaugural Annual International Lecture in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the CDS, the recent killing of key terrorist commanders, including Turji’s mentor Halilu Buzu, has left Turji and his gang in disarray. Musa noted that Turji’s actions and behavior are clear indications of his panic.
“You can see from the actions he is taking that he is in a state of panic. He used to be bold, speaking as if he was in control. Now, he knows he is not. It’s only a matter of time because the death of Halilu Buzu, his master, has shaken him. Turji knows that he is next, and everything he is doing now is just noise,” General Musa said.
Terrorists on the Run
General Musa further explained that the military’s ongoing operations in the region have destabilized many of the terrorist groups. He stressed that Turji has already crossed a dangerous line, and the military is committed to bringing him and others like him down.
“The military operations will continue,” he said. “Many of these terrorists will continue to fall as we intensify our efforts.”
The CDS highlighted that one of the reasons the fight against terrorism has been prolonged is due to deep-rooted issues in the affected areas, including poverty, illiteracy, and a lack of good governance. These factors, according to him, have made it easier for terrorist groups to recruit vulnerable youth.
“We have a large population of young people in these regions who have nothing to do. The more terrorists we take out, the more new recruits they attract. And we must remember, Nigeria shares a 1,500-kilometer border with Niger Republic, and we also have a border with Benin Republic, making it easy for people to move in and out,” Musa said.
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Securing Borders
In response to this challenge, the Nigerian military is making significant efforts to secure the borders and cut off the terrorists’ ability to move freely between countries.
“Efforts are being made to ensure that we secure those borders and deny them the ability to filter in and out of Nigeria,” General Musa explained.