EXCLUSIVE: Bandit leader Bello Turji surrenders arms, fress 32 kidnap victims in peace truce

Bello Turji, a notorious terror kingpin known for orchestrating violent attacks in north-west Nigeria, has reportedly released 32 kidnapped victims and handed over some of his weapons as part of an ongoing peace effort, Daily Watch Nigeria reports. 

The development was revealed by Islamic cleric Musa Yusuf, widely known as Asadus-Sunnah, during a religious event held in Kaduna on Monday, as reported by Premium Times.

According to Yusuf, the move is a result of peace talks held in July with Turji and other armed groups deep within the Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The talks were initiated by Shinkafi residents who pleaded with clerics to help broker peace and allow farmers safe access to their lands.

“We met Mr Turji, Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila. The speculation that Dan Bakkolo was killed is not true,” Yusuf stated, naming key figures involved in the region’s insecurity.

He said the armed leaders agreed to the peace terms, which include ending hostilities and allowing Fulani residents to move freely without fear of vigilante attacks.

Yusuf explained that the gunmen surrendered some weapons in three separate stages and have permitted residents to return to their farms in areas previously controlled by their fighters.

As part of the truce, Turji released 32 kidnapped individuals and reportedly provided a video showing the difficult path the victims had to trek while leaving captivity.

Yusuf noted that the peace process is still ongoing and that the clerics are treading carefully by not demanding complete disarmament, which could leave Turji vulnerable to rival armed groups not involved in the negotiations.

Also Read: 50 Abducted, only 18 freed after N50m ransom – Survivors narrates ordeal in Zamfara bandits den

When contacted for confirmation, Zamfara State Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said the command was unaware of the development. Similarly, Onyinyechi Anele, spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, said the military had not been briefed but assured that more information would be shared when available.