TURJI SURRENDERS ARMS, RELEASES 32 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN ZAMFARA PEACE DEAL

Notorious terrorist commander Bello Turji has reportedly surrendered some of his arms and released 32 kidnapped victims following a peace initiative brokered by Islamic clerics in Zamfara State. The breakthrough came after a series of meetings held in July between the clerics and Turji’s gang in the Fakai forest of Zamfara State.

According to prominent Islamic scholar Musa Yusuf, the arms were surrendered in three phases, allowing local farmers to return to their lands. “We met Mr Turji, Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila. The speculation that Dan Bakkolo was killed is not true. These individuals are responsible for the insecurity in the area, and they all agreed to the peace proposals,” Yusuf said.

The peace agreement also included the release of 32 kidnapped captives, with some victims having spent nearly four months in captivity. “Turji released 32 captives under the deal, and we have video evidence showing the rough terrain the freed captives had to cross from his camp. Farming has resumed in several areas previously abandoned due to bandit occupation,” Yusuf added.

Yusuf clarified that Turji was not asked to surrender all his weapons to avoid leaving him vulnerable to rival groups. “We deliberately did not demand the surrender of all weapons to avoid making Turji vulnerable to attacks from other groups that may not be part of the peace process,” he said.

Turji emphasized the importance of collaboration for peace, stating that military action alone would not resolve the crisis. “Guns and airstrikes will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” Turji said.

The notorious bandit leader also criticized the political rivalry between Governor Dauda Lawal and former Governor Bello Matawalle, claiming it undermines the welfare of the people. “The blame game over the worsening security situation between Governor Lawal and Bello Matawalle is political. Both politicians do not have their people’s best interests at heart,” Turji said.

Yusuf commended efforts at federal and state levels, praising several leaders for supporting a non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity. “We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante,” Yusuf said, emphasizing the need for peace and reconciliation among all communities involved.