CDS: Bello Turji now in panic mode — he’s no longer in charge

Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), says Bello Turji, a notorious bandit kingpin in Zamfara, is now living in fear of capture.

Speaking at the inaugural annual international lecture organised by NAN, Musa said Turji’s latest actions were signs of panic.

The CDS said the recent surge in military action against terrorists has severely rattled Turji and his cohorts.

“The killing of Halilu Buzu and many other terrorist commanders had sent panic to the camp of Turji and his gang — his latest actions are signs of panic,” he said.

“You can see from the action that he is taking; you will know that he is in a state of panic. He used to be emboldened to go and talk and talk as if he is the only one in charge.

“Now he knows he is not in charge. He knows it is a matter of time because Halilu Buzu that was killed was his master.

“So now that he knows his commander is gone, he knows he is next and so all that he is doing now is mere noise-making.”

Musa said that Turji has crossed the line, restating that the ongoing military operations will continue to take down many terrorists.

“Insecurity is dragging for long because of poverty, illiteracy and lack of good governance within those general areas. So they have a large population of youths not doing anything,” he said.

“The more we take them out, more are joining them. And then you remember, we have 1,500 kilometers border with Niger Republic.

“We have another border with Benin Republic. And so, a lot of people filter in and out within Nigeria.

“So efforts are being made to ensure that we secure those borders to deny them the ability to move in.”

In September, the CDS assured that the Nigerian Army would crack down on Turji within the shortest possible time.