The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has revealed that notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji is currently in a state of panic as a result of the intensified military operations targeting terrorist groups in Nigeria’s North West region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of NAN’s first Annual International Lecture in Abuja on Thursday, Musa offered insights into the impact of recent military successes against the insurgents.
Musa noted that the death of key terrorist commanders, including the infamous Halilu Buzu, has shaken Turji’s confidence and thrown his camp into disarray.
Buzu, who had been a pivotal figure and mentor to Turji, was recently eliminated by military forces in an ongoing crackdown on terrorists. The loss of such an influential leader, Musa explained, has left Turji scrambling.
“You can see from the action that he is taking, you will know that he is in a state of panic,” Musa said, referencing Turji’s recent erratic moves. “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.”
Musa underscored that with Buzu gone, Turji’s attempts to assert control are nothing more than “noise-making.” The terrorist leader, he added, understands that his days are numbered: “So now that he knows his commander is gone, he knows he is next.”
Addressing the broader insecurity plaguing the region, the CDS pointed out that the continued existence of terrorist groups is fueled by deep-rooted issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and weak governance structures in the affected areas.
These conditions, Musa argued, make it easier for terrorist organizations to recruit unemployed youth.
“So they have a large population of youths not doing anything,” Musa explained. “The more we take them out, more are joining them.”
Musa further emphasized the strategic challenges posed by Nigeria’s porous borders, particularly with Niger Republic and Benin Republic.
He said that the over 1,500-kilometer-long border with Niger Republic has been a significant conduit for insurgents to infiltrate and exfiltrate the country, making the fight against terrorism even more complex.
“We have another border with Benin Republic and so a lot of people filter in and out within Nigeria,” the general said. Efforts, however, are underway to tighten security along these borders, aiming to cut off terrorist mobility and resources.
The CDS concluded by reaffirming the military’s commitment to the fight, vowing that operations will continue until the threat of terrorism is completely neutralized in the region.
