- Army, Police: we are not aware of the development
The notorious terror kingpin in the Northwest, Bello Turji, has reportedly released 32 kidnapped victims and surrendered some of his weapons.
Musa Yusuf, an Islamic cleric popularly known as Asadus-Sunnah, reportedly broke the news during a religious event in Kaduna.
Yusuf said on Monday that the gesture followed peace talks last month with Turji and other armed fighters in Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He said the dialogue was initiated by residents of Shinkafi who appealed to clerics to intervene and persuade Turji to halt attacks and allow farmers access to their lands.
Read Also: Customs to commence implementation of AEO in January 2026
Yusuf said: “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 agreed to the peace proposals. We agreed that the Fulani must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante.”
According to Yusuf, the terror kingpins surrendered some weapons in three stages and have allowed residents to resume farming in areas previously occupied by fighters.
He added that Turji also freed 32 kidnapped persons as part of the deal and played a video showing the rough terrain the victims crossed on their way out of captivity.
Yusuf said engagements are ongoing with Turji and his group to secure a total end to hostilities, noting that the clerics have been cautious not to demand a complete disarmament.
He explained that doing so could leave Turji exposed to rival factions who are not part of the deal.
The state police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, however, denied knowledge of the deal
Also, the army spokesperson, Onyinyechi Anele, said the military had yet to be briefed.