By Sabiu Abdullahi
A well-known cleric, Musa Yusuf, popularly called Asadus-Sunnah, has revealed that terrorist leader Bello Turji has freed 32 people who were held hostage and promised to halt his group’s assaults on local farmers.
This followed a series of meetings between Turji and Islamic scholars in Zamfara State.Speaking during a religious event in Kaduna on Monday, Yusuf said the peace discussions were initiated in July and took place in the Fakai forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
He explained that the clerics met with Turji and other key fighters including Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila.
All the parties reportedly agreed to the peace terms.
According to him, “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 terrorising 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 the bandits released the arms in three separate batches and gave residents of Shinkafi access to farmland across the river leading to Turji’s camp.
He added, “We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante.”
As part of the agreement, Turji released 32 hostages.
Yusuf presented a video that showed the harsh conditions the victims endured before reaching the terrorist leader’s hideout.
He said the captives, which included women and children, spent nearly four months in captivity.
One woman reportedly gave birth during her time in the camp, while another was bitten by a snake.
Yusuf stated that the Shinkafi axis has since experienced relative calm.
Farmers are now working on their lands without fear of abduction.
He mentioned that while the talks had brought some relief to the area, negotiations were ongoing to convince Turji to commit fully to the peace plan.
However, the clerics chose not to demand a complete surrender of arms so as not to expose Turji to attacks from rival armed groups who are not part of the current discussions.
The cleric also cautioned religious figures who have been attacking Turji on social media. He warned that such actions could worsen the situation.
Yusuf acknowledged that the peace initiative would not completely end the insecurity in Zamfara, but pointed out that communities within Turji’s area of control are now enjoying some stability.
He praised President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba for supporting non-military approaches to resolving the region’s security crisis.
In a video released last October, Turji had insisted that true peace would remain out of reach in Zamfara until government forces and vigilantes stopped targeting Fulani communities.
“This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Guns and airstrikes will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” he said.
He also dismissed the political back-and-forth between Governor Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, saying neither was truly concerned about the people’s welfare.