Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji frees 100 hostages in Zamfara peace initiative

In a surprising development, notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has reportedly released around 100 hostages as part of a renewed peace initiative in Zamfara State.

According to security sources who spoke with counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the mass release followed ongoing dialogue and confidence-building efforts facilitated by community leaders under the North West Operation Safe Corridor peace process.

The freed captives—comprising men, women, and children—were handed over to local authorities and later taken to a hospital for medical examination and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families.

A source involved in the negotiations revealed that the move was part of an agreement between Turji’s camp and mediators to embrace peace and end violence in the affected communities.

The source added that 36 hostages were first released, followed by eight more, before the remaining victims were freed, bringing the total to over 100.

Further releases are reportedly expected as discussions continue.