Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has released over 100 hostages in Zamfara State as part of a renewed peace initiative aimed at ending years of violence and abductions in the region.
Security sources revealed that the release was the result of sustained dialogue and confidence-building efforts led by community leaders and facilitated through the North West Operation Safe Corridor peace process.
The freed captives, including men, women, and children, were handed over to local authorities and promptly taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before reuniting with their families.
According to sources involved in the negotiations, the release was part of an agreement with Turji’s camp to suspend hostilities and work towards restoring peace in affected communities.
The process began with the release of 36 hostages, followed by another eight, and later additional groups, bringing the total to over 100. Negotiations are ongoing, and more releases are expected as the peace talks progress.