The Nigerian army has disclosed that notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has expressed his willingness to surrender.
This was revealed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Friday.
Musa disclosed that recent military operations targeting Turji’s network have significantly weakened his position.
He mentioned that the operations led to the elimination of Turji’s second-in-command and several top lieutenants, forcing him to release many hostages and consider laying down arms.
Musa described the military’s difficulty in tracking Turji, saying that his activities are frequently unpredictable, making it difficult to act quickly on intelligence.
However, he stated that the military’s recent achievements had put pressure on Turji’s group, prompting his decision to surrender.
“They (terrorists) are within the communities; the people know them. So, sometimes when they see them, before you get the information, it’s like two hours—the man has moved. So, when the information gets to you before you move, he has left that area.
“But I can tell you, we have taken out his second in command, and we have taken out most of his lieutenants; in fact, he is forced now to release most of the people under him.
“I am telling you that recently, he is beginning to say that he doesn’t want anything; he is ready to surrender,” he added.
However, Musa underscored the need for justice, stressing that individuals responsible for violence and the deaths of innocent citizens must be held accountable.
