Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has released more than 100 captives in Zamfara State as part of a renewed peace initiative aimed at ending years of violent attacks and abductions, following dialogue and confidence-building efforts led by community leaders under the North West Operation Safe Corridor process.
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Security analyst Zagazola disclosed this on Monday, saying the freed victims, including men, women, and children, were handed over to local authorities and taken for medical evaluations before being reunited with their families. The release is part of a broader understanding reached with Turji’s camp to embrace peace and end hostilities across affected communities.
The captives were freed in phases, with 36 people released initially, followed by another eight, and later additional batches totaling over 100 individuals. Discussions between Turji’s group and mediators are ongoing, with expectations of more releases in the coming days.
Some reports suggest different figures, with certain sources stating that 32 victims were released following an agreement between Turji and Islamic clerics in Zamfara State.
