DHQ debunks surrender rumour of notorious terror leader, Turji
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday refuted claims by Amnesty International that notorious terror leader Bello Turji has surrounded himself to the military.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General. Markus Kangye, clarified on Thursday during a press briefing in Abuja that , “Bello Turji has not surrendered. We are still pursuing him”.
Bello Turji has been the mastermind of killings and kidnappings in Shinkafi, Sabon Birni, and Isah in Zamfara and Sokoto states.
The Director Defence Media Operations said Turji, a key terror figure behind numerous attacks in Zamfara and Sokoto States, remains a wanted criminal.
DHQ dismissed as false recent reports that suggested Turji had disarmed and freed 32 hostages as part of a peace deal mediated by Islamic clerics in Zamfara. “These claims are false” he said’
Major. General. Kangye who also addressed accusations from Amnesty International that alleged extrajudicial killings by troops in the South-East, said the allegations are baseless.
“The military does not engage in indiscriminate violence,” he said, emphasizing that soldiers are not deployed to harm civilians.
Noting the penchant of some people to spread information , he said “anyone with a phone can spread information, but we assure you, no extrajudicial killings are happening in the South-East.”
On the recent protests by retired military personnel, Kangye noted that the Military Pensions Board (MPB), in collaboration with the Chief of Accounts and Budget at DHQ and the Minister of Finance, had met with the affected veterans and they are addressing their concerns.
The Director further clarified that only a small group was involved in the demonstrations, and their issues are being resolved.
