The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly dismissed reports that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has surrendered, affirming instead that he remains at large and is still being actively pursued.
“Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji; Turji has not surrendered, we are still on the lookout for him”
— Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media OperationsTurji—wanted for orchestrating violent raids, kidnappings, and attacks across Zamfara and Sokoto States—remains one of Nigeria’s most elusive criminal masterminds. Recent claims that he had surrendered arms and released 32 hostages under a peace deal mediated by Islamic clerics were dismissed as unverified by the DHQ.
Allegations of Excessive Force Rejected
Maj. Gen. Kangye also addressed recent allegations from Amnesty International suggesting that troops in the Southeast engaged in extrajudicial killings. He strongly refuted these claims, calling them unfounded and stressing that the military does not engage in indiscriminate violence.
“What do you mean by extrajudicial killing? Is it that soldiers carry their weapons, go to the street and start shooting people?... I can tell you that the military is not engaged in any extrajudicial killing in the southeast”
— Maj. Gen. KangyeHe noted the ease with which false information can spread in modern times and reiterated the military’s commitment to lawful conduct.
Veterans’ Protests Addressed
The briefing also touched on recent protests by retired military personnel over welfare concerns. Maj. Gen. Kangye clarified that only a small number were involved; their grievances have already been addressed by a high-level meeting involving the Military Pensions Board, the Defence Headquarters’ Chief of Accounts and Budget, and the Minister of Finance.
“This issue was addressed by the military pensions board last week... the chairman of the military pensions board and the chief of account and budget… and also the minister of finance… went to talk… and I think they were sure that that issue had been addressed.”
— Maj. Gen. KangyeNew Committee to Support Veterans Welfare
Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, added that a new five-member standing committee set up by the Ministry of Defence held talks with the Chief of Defence Staff to work out mechanisms for improving veterans’ welfare.
“A five-man standing committee… had a meeting with CDS and modalities have been worked out on how to address the welfare needs of our veterans.”
Brig. Gen. Gusau said.
