Notorious Bandit Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Armoured Vehicles Worth N1.59bn (Viral Video)
Nigeria Loses Armoured Vehicles Worth N1.59bn to Bandits
Bandit kingpin Bello Turji and his gang have captured two Nigerian Army Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles worth N1.59 billion and a significant amount of ammunition.
A viral video circulating online shows Turji and his associates celebrating the takeover.
An MRAP vehicle is worth at least $500,000, an equivalent of N796 million. Going by the report, Nigeria lost N1.59 billion to the bandits during the crossfire.
A video circulating online shows Turji and his men celebrating their victory over the military, further escalating the tension in the region.
The incident occurred after a Nigerian Army unit attempted to engage the bandits at a location identified within Turji’s camp.
According to counterinsurgency and security expert ZagaZola Makama, the troops received intelligence about a high-level meeting among bandits in the area and were swiftly deployed. However, their mission was hampered when their vehicle got stuck in marshy terrain, leaving them vulnerable.
As the troops faced heavy gunfire from the bandits, they struggled to maintain their position. The situation was exacerbated by adverse weather conditions, preventing air support from arriving on time. Despite attempts to recover their stranded vehicle using another Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, both vehicles became trapped in the mud, forcing the soldiers to withdraw.
Watch as Bello Turji takes Nigerian Army MRAP
The bandits, led by Turji, later appeared at the scene, firing shots into the air and boasting about their success in overpowering the troops and seizing their equipment. The Nigerian Army has yet to officially comment on the incident.
This bold attack underscores the ongoing challenges the Nigerian military faces in combating banditry in the region, as well as the increasing boldness of groups led by figures like Turji. The situation continues to develop, with the potential for further escalation as tensions rise.
Notorious Bandit, Bello Turji, Captures Nigerian Army Armoured Vehicles Worth N1.59bn
On August 29, the troops attempted to retrieve their stuck vehicles but were unsuccessful. With the situation becoming overwhelming, they withdrew, leaving behind two MRAPs, which the bandits later set ablaze.”
MRAPs have V-shaped hulls that deflect explosive forces from land mines or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) below the vehicle, thereby protecting the vehicles and the passengers inside them.
This loss, the armed forces down two MRAPs, is just another setback in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
