Senator Shehu Sani has condemned the viral video showing bandit leader, Bello Turji, and his gang celebrating the capture of a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier, emphasising that the incident does not diminish Turji’s status as a dangerous criminal.
Sani, a former federal lawmaker, urged Nigerians not to undermine the efforts of the military based on this setback, pointing out that even the most advanced military forces in the world face similar challenges.
He labeled Turji and his gang as “mass murderers, kidnappers, and rapists,” asserting that they will never succeed in their attempts to destabilise the country.
“The terrorist Bello Turji posting a video of a captured armoured vehicle doesn’t make him a hero or less of a criminal.
“Those using his propaganda images to demean the efforts and sacrifices of armed forces and the police should be reminded that even the most advanced military in the world can experience this kind of temporary setback,” Sani wrote on his official X, formerly Twitter, account.
Sani highlighted the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by military personnel who work tirelessly to protect the country, allowing citizens to live in peace.
“You must appreciate the fact that the reason why you can still sleep in your homes with your family and go about your normal lives is that there are thousands of personnel out there sacrificing their own lives and comfort for your own,” he stated.
“Turji and his criminal gang are mass murderers, kidnappers, and rapists. They will never win over our country. It’s a matter of time,” Sani concluded.
In a related development, a counterinsurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, ZagaZola Makama, confirmed the incident and provided details about the confrontation.
According to Makama, the Nigerian Army received intelligence about a high-level meeting of bandits at a location within Bello Turji’s camp. In response, a team of soldiers was dispatched to the area, led by a young officer.
However, the operation encountered difficulties when the troops’ vehicle became stuck in the marshy terrain, halting their advance.
Makama reported that the soldiers came under heavy fire from the bandits, leading to an intense gun battle that lasted for several hours. Unfortunately, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, prevented air support from arriving in time.