Notorious terror leader, Bello Turji, has reportedly released 32 kidnapped victims and pledged to stop attacking farmers in Zamfara State following peace talks with Islamic clerics.
This was disclosed by a Kaduna-based cleric, Musa Yusuf, also known as Asadus-Sunnah, during a religious gathering on Monday.
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According to him, the meetings with Turji took place in July at Fakai forest, where the terror leader and his group consented to several peace proposals aimed at restoring calm to Shinkafi and surrounding communities.
As part of the understanding, Turji released 32 individuals who had been in captivity for nearly four months. Among them were women who gave birth during their time in the forest, and one person who suffered a snakebite. A video later emerged showing some of the released victims.
Yusuf said the clerics facilitated a phased surrender of weapons by the terrorist and secured his assurance that farmers in Shinkafi could now access their lands in the forest without fear of violence or abduction.
He added that residents have started cultivating their farmlands peacefully since the deal, bringing some relief to the troubled area.
While noting that total disarmament was not demanded from Turji to avoid exposing him to rival attacks, Yusuf said efforts were ongoing to convince him to fully embrace peace.
He praised the federal and state governments for supporting the non-violent approach to addressing insecurity in the region. He specifically thanked President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba.
The cleric also cautioned against inflammatory comments online directed at Turji, warning that they could derail the fragile peace process.
Though the agreement may not end all acts of terrorism in Zamfara, Yusuf said communities within Turji’s territory are currently enjoying relative calm.
