The Defence Headquarters has urged villagers in Sokoto State to ignore the N25m levy demanded by bandits kingpin, Turji Bello.

The DHQ assured the villagers of protection, urging them not to yield to the bandit leader’s threat, as the military were hot on his track and he would soon be eliminated.

The Chief of Defence Operations, Maj. Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, gave the assurance during an interview.

Turji has been in hiding after fleeing from Zamfara State during one of the military operations targeted at him by troops in January.

As a result, the military called him a coward for abandoning his son and fighters during the gun battle.

However, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni Local Government, Aminu Boza, told journalists last week that Turji had resurfaced in Sokoto State and imposed a N25m levy on villages.

Boza also said Turji had set up camp in a forest in the Isa Local Government Area.

However, the Chief of Defence Operations, stated that the military was not treating Turji’s issue with kids gloves.

Onumajuru advised residents to resist any form of extortion by bandits, stressing that military personnel are on the ground to ensure their safety.

“Talking about Bello Turji imposing fines, remember I did talk about protecting vulnerable communities. Now, the communities need to believe that the Armed Forces are protecting them, and when they believe that, it’s a question of calling anybody that asks you for protection money or ransom money bluff because the Armed Forces is there to protect you.

“So, I want to ask the communities now through your medium, do not accede to request for protection levy in whatever form because we have troops who guarantee farms security, who open space to go about your normal activities.”

The defence chief said Turji was still hiding, adding that the troops were on his trail.

He said, “First, I need to let you know that there is absolutely no forth and back between Bello Turji and the Armed Forces.

“As I speak, Bello Turji is hiding, completely in hiding, and the Armed Forces are tracking him. The Armed Forces continuously track him, and very soon, he will be eliminated,” Onumajuru stated.

He urged Nigerians to be patient, explaining that tracking and neutralising bandit leaders requires time due to the nature of their movements.

He assured that Turji’s activities in the North-West would soon come to an end as the military remained on his trail.