Bandit kingpin Bello Turji agrees to peace pact, releases hostages in Zamfara
Story by Susan Mbamah
Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has released 32 kidnapped victims and vowed to stop attacks on farmers after engaging in peace talks with Islamic clerics.
The peace talks were led by Islamic scholar Musa Yusuf (Asadus-Sunnah), who met with Turji and other bandit leaders at his camp in the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Yusuf explained that residents of Shinkafi had asked his team of clerics to intervene so they could safely return to their farms. The meetings were held three times in July within the Fakai forest.
READ ALSO: Court denies bail to 4 suspects linked to bandit kingpin Bello Turji
“We met Mr. Turji, Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila. The speculation that Dan Bakkolo was killed is not true. These people are the ones terrorizing the axis, and they all agreed to the peace proposals, one of which is for them to surrender some of their arms to show commitment to the peace process,” Yusuf said.
He added that the bandits surrendered their weapons in three separate phases and allowed Shinkafi residents to access their farms. “We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante,” Yusuf noted.
As part of the agreement, Turji “also released 32 kidnapped captives.”
READ ALSO: 5 hostages killed, 51 others released after receiving ransom
Since the peace deal, the Shinkafi area has seen a period of calm, with locals now farming without fear. Yusuf cautioned other clerics against making statements that could worsen the situation and stressed the importance of a peaceful approach.
He praised President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba for supporting the peaceful resolution. While the peace pact may not end all terrorism in Zamfara, communities under Turji’s control are now enjoying some stability.
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