The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has pledged to apprehend notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, who has been terrorizing communities in Zamfara State.
Musa made this declaration while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
Turji, a well-known figure in banditry, recently made headlines after allegedly claiming responsibility for seizing two mine-resistant vehicles from the Nigerian Army.
The military, however, dismissed his claims, stating that the vehicles were demobilized due to difficult terrain.
Despite the military’s clarification, Turji has reportedly imposed a ₦30 million levy on residents of Zamfara as compensation for the killing of his associates by soldiers. General Musa assured the public that this issue would be resolved once Turji is captured.
“On the issue of Turji, he is just a deranged individual who feels power, but I can bet you that it’s just a matter of time,“ Musa said.
“We’re going to get him, and I can assure you that it will be within the shortest possible time.
“We’re going to address that issue on the issue of payment of levy (to bandits). That is what they live on. And it shows you the desperation they are in.
“One, even when they get the money, they don’t have a way to use it. Two is that the money they’re getting, they know, is blood money.”