Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Vehicles, Ammunition in Fierce Clash

Footage has surfaced online showing notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his gang celebrating after capturing a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and a significant amount of ammunition. The incident was confirmed by counterinsurgency expert ZagaZola Makama, who provided details of the encounter.

According to Makama, the Nigerian Army had received intelligence about a high-level meeting of bandits within Bello Turji’s camp. In response, a team of soldiers, led by a young officer, was dispatched to the area to intercept the gathering. However, the operation quickly encountered challenges when one of the military vehicles became stuck in the marshy terrain, halting the troops’ progress.

Makama explained that the soldiers came under heavy fire from the bandits, triggering an intense gunfight that lasted several hours. Despite their efforts, heavy rainfall and poor weather conditions prevented air support from arriving in time to aid the soldiers.

In an attempt to retrieve the immobilized vehicle, the troops brought in a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, but it too became stuck in the mud. With reinforcements on the way, the situation remained critical, and the soldiers eventually had to withdraw, leaving behind the vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the troops.

Hours later, Turji and his gang returned to the scene, celebrating their victory by firing shots into the air and boasting of their success in capturing the military vehicles.

As of now, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially comment on the incident.

Nigerian Soldier Mocks Cultists, Urges Men to Join Military

A Nigerian soldier, Abubakar Sadiq, has sparked conversations online after making a bold statement criticizing men who join cult groups, asserting that true strength lies in serving the nation through the military.

In a post shared on Facebook, Sadiq wrote, “Cultism is for small boys. Real men join the military,” challenging the masculinity and maturity of those involved in cultism.

His comment has garnered attention, with many social media users weighing in on the debate, some supporting his stance while others criticized his approach. Sadiq’s post underscores the ongoing efforts by military personnel to steer young men away from criminal activities and toward more disciplined, lawful careers.

Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has called on security agencies to ramp up efforts in securing the immediate release of 20 medical students who were abducted within the state.

This appeal was made in a statement issued by Mr. Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, and shared journalists on Saturday in Makurdi.

Governor Alia expressed strong condemnation of the abduction, which occurred on Thursday evening as the students were en route to Enugu State for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) Annual Convention. He emphasized that his administration would relentlessly pursue the elimination of criminal activities in Benue and warned the perpetrators to cease their operations or face the full force of the law.

The Benue Police Command confirmed that the kidnapped individuals include medical and dental students from the Universities of Jos and Maiduguri, along with a house officer, all of whom were traveling together when they were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo. The students were reportedly on their way to attend the FECAMDS convention when the unfortunate incident occurred.