Bello Turji, identified as Nigeria’s most notorious terrorist, has reportedly freed more than 100 hostages as part of a renewed peace initiative aimed at halting the persistent violence and kidnappings in Zamfara State.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, who shared the update on X this Tuesday, the release was a direct outcome of a peace agreement facilitated between local community representatives and bandit factions, designed to bring an end to years of unrest and abductions in the region.
Makama explained that the liberation of the captives was achieved through ongoing negotiations and trust-building measures spearheaded by community leaders, under the framework of the North West Operation Safe Corridor peace process.
“The individuals released, including men, women, and children, were handed over to local officials and promptly taken to medical facilities for health assessments before being reunited with their families,” the counter-terrorism expert noted.
This development is part of a larger accord reached with Turji’s faction, encouraging a commitment to peace and the cessation of hostilities across the affected communities in Zamfara.
Initially, 36 captives were freed, followed by an additional group of eight, totaling 46 individuals. Subsequent releases brought the overall number of freed hostages to over 100.
Further releases are anticipated in the near future as dialogue between Turji’s group and mediators continues to progress.
Authorities remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation to ensure the peace process is genuine and to prevent any faction from exploiting the negotiations to regroup or rearm.
