DHQ Demises Reports On Surrendered Notorious Bandit, Leader Bello Turji 

The Defence Headquarters has denied reports that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has surrendered to the military.

Turji, a wanted bandit leader operating mainly in Zamfara and Sokoto States is accused of masterminding several attacks on communities in the North-West.

Recently, there were reports that the bandit leader had surrendered his arms and released 32 kidnap victims following a peace initiative brokered by Islamic clerics in Zamfara State.

However, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed such claims during a briefing on the activities of the Armed Forces on Thursday, in Abuja.

Kangye also dismissed allegations of extrajudicial killings by troops in the South-East, describing them as unfounded.

Responding to claims by Amnesty International, Kangye explained that the military does not engage in indiscriminate violence.

On the recent protests by some retired military personnel, Kangye said that the matter has been addressed by the Military Pensions Board in a meeting with the affected veterans.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI) Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau added that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa met on Tuesday with a five-man standing committee set up by the Ministry of Defence to address veterans’ welfare concerns.

The committee, according to him is working on modalities to improve support for military veterans.

The Defence Headquarters has denied reports that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has surrendered to the military.