The Defence Headquarters has dismissed recent threats made by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, labeling him a “dead man walking.” Turji, in a widely circulated video, accused the military of targeting elderly civilians and demanded the release of his detained ally, Baka Wurgi, threatening to unleash terror on Zamfara State in 2025 if his demands were not met.
Reacting to the threats during an end-of-year briefing in Abuja, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, vowed that Turji would face the same fate as other neutralized terrorist commanders.
“Bello Turji is merely a dead man walking,” Buba said. “Engaging in a war of words with a terrorist is beneath us. Others who made similar boasts have all been eliminated, and Turji’s time will come. Many so-called untouchable terrorist leaders have been buried on the battlefield, and 2025 will be no different.”
Military Responds to Amnesty International’s Allegations
Addressing Amnesty International’s call for an investigation into the Sokoto accidental bombing, Major General Buba reaffirmed the military’s willingness to cooperate, provided Amnesty responds to an earlier invitation to discuss previous allegations against the armed forces.
“We invited Amnesty International for a dialogue on their prior claims, which we found to be baseless and misleading. Until they respond, we cannot entertain further allegations. Nigerians should disregard terrorist propaganda regarding the Sokoto incident. The strikes were targeted at terrorists, not civilians,” he stated.
Major Military Gains in 2024
Highlighting the achievements of the military over the past year, Buba disclosed that more than 10,000 terrorists were neutralized, 12,538 arrested, and over 7,000 kidnapped victims rescued during various operations across Nigeria.
Key statistics for 2024 include:
- Terrorists neutralized: 10,937
- Arrests: 12,538
- Hostages rescued: 7,063
- Weapons recovered: 8,815
- Ammunition seized: 228,004 rounds
Notable terrorist leaders eliminated in 2024 include Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mallam Saleh Umaru, Mohammed Amadu, and Jeremiah Uzuoma.
In the fight against economic sabotage, the military recovered stolen crude oil and disrupted numerous oil theft operations.
- Recovered crude oil: 56.2 million liters
- Illegally refined AGO: 9.7 million liters
- PMS seized: 156,527 liters
These efforts denied criminals an estimated N68.4 billion in revenue.
Outlook for 2025: A Year of Total Victory
Expressing optimism about military operations in 2025, Major General Buba projected the complete defeat of terrorist elements in Nigeria.
“2024 showcased significant victories, with over 10,000 terrorists killed and thousands surrendering. This trend reflects dwindling morale among terrorist factions. In 2025, victory is not just possible—it is inevitable,” Buba declared.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security and territorial integrity, urging citizens to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing operations.