DHQ debunks Bello Turji surrender rumors, rejects Amnesty International’s claims

By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja –

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted claims that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has turned himself in to the military.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, clarified, “Bello Turji has not surrendered. We are still pursuing him.”

Turji, a key figure behind numerous attacks in Zamfara and Sokoto States, remains a wanted criminal.

Recent reports suggested Turji had disarmed and freed 32 hostages as part of a peace deal mediated by Islamic clerics in Zamfara.

However, the DHQ dismissed these claims as false.

Maj.-Gen. Kangye also addressed accusations from Amnesty International alleging extrajudicial killings by troops in the South-East, calling them baseless.

“The military does not engage in indiscriminate violence,” he stated, emphasizing that soldiers are not deployed to harm civilians.

He added, “Anyone with a phone can spread information, but we assure you, no extrajudicial killings are happening in the South-East.”

Regarding 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 to address their concerns.

He clarified that only a small group was involved in the demonstrations, and their issues are being resolved.