By Joni Akpederi
Neither Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa nor the National Security
Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has responded to the shocking challenge of Bello Turji, one of
the most notorious and wanted terrorist-leaders operating mainly in the North-western
region of the country.
In a viral social media video post Turji , mid-June, demanded a meeting with Nigeria’s
Security Forces leaders in which to negotiate his continued stranglehold on swathes of
territory he already commands and runs as a private fiefdom. He warned that he and
his gang of murderous insurgents were ready for “dialogue or war and confrontation”,
while claiming responsibility for recent attacks and mayhem in several communities in
Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger states.
Watchers of Nigeria’s worsening security situation see the callous, brazen activities of a
growing number warlords, around the country as the Tinubu Administration's cue to
intensify it’s stated goal of kicking-off State Police Departments. The move will force
State Governors currently overly focused on power-hogging and the spoils of office to
think and direct resources to the protection of life and property of citizens in their states.
More worrisome, critics wonder what manner of elections will take place in many of the
terrorist-invaded states of the North and Middle-belt regions of Nigeria come 2027.
Insecurity is so pronounced ordinary folk can not tend their farms or let kids attend
schools for fear of being abduction targets of the likes of Turji and his criminal groups.
Meanwhile, General Musa has unilaterally assessed government’s security performance
at 65 to 70%, with the lame excuse that no nation is free of crime. More disturbing, he
waved off Nigeria’s deepening difficulties with spikes in soul-curdling murders and
insecurity as the the antics of “disgruntled opposition figures” and :politicians” to make
the government look weak. His stance and comment received quick backlash and
public opprobrium when a retired General like himself, was casually and easily picked
off a motorway, abducted along with his wife, and allowed to die, ignominiously in the
bandits camp a few weeks ago.