ZAMFARA State has been hit by a wave of violence, with around 150 people reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits over a span of four days across multiple communities.
Although the Zamfara State Government’s spokesperson, Mahmud Mohammed Dantawasa, confirmed the attacks to the BBC, he neither verified nor dismissed the reported number of abductees.
He however noted that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims.
These abductions come amid a significant peace initiative involving Sheikh Musa Yusuf Asadus-Sunna, a respected Islamic scholar from Kaduna.
He revealed that his Peace Committee successfully brokered a truce between notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and the federal government, which led to the release of 32 hostages and the surrender of weapons.
Local sources detailed how the armed men launched coordinated assaults in villages such as Sabon Garin Damri, Dakko Butsa (near Sokoto), Tungar Abdu Dogo, Tungar Sarkin Daji, Sadeda, and Tungar Labi—often under the cover of darkness or rain to catch residents off guard.
In addition to these violent raids, poor road infrastructure has reportedly hampered the rapid deployment of security forces to the affected areas.
Speaking in a recent interview, Sheikh Asadus-Sunna shed light on the motivations behind the peace talks with Turji.
According to him, reconciliation is deeply rooted in Islamic values. He and his team undertook three separate visits last month to Fakai, a remote area in Kebbi State, to meet with various armed groups.
Their journey included navigating flooded terrain on foot and riding motorcycles for hours through dense forests to reach the camps.
The cleric recounted that during these meetings, which included over 20 scholars and government officials, the bandits surrendered their weapons and agreed to stop harassing farmers.
Sheikh Musa emphasized that while the surrender of weapons is a promising sign, the conflict goes beyond Bello Turji.
He identified other active bandit leaders such as Dan Bakwalo, Dan Kanyawa, Malam Ila, and a man known only as Black.
He also spoke of Kachalla Dan Sadiya, a feared bandit accused of killing 38 people. However, through the peace process, 32 abductees were released, some of whom had spent months in captivity, including women who gave birth during their time in detention.
“Our goal is a complete ceasefire,” Sheikh Musa stated. “Many of the fighters are tired of the violence. Some have even turned on those refusing to embrace peace. This includes incidents where known recruiters were killed by their own men for resisting dialogue.”
The cleric commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting peace efforts and noted that the federal government had given full approval for the negotiations.
He also lauded the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and the Chief of Defence Staff for their involvement.
During one of his sermons, Sheikh Musa revealed that more than 500 armed fighters attended one of the meetings with Turji — a figure that he says represents only about one percent of the total militia strength. Disturbingly, he reported seeing children as young as 10 wielding AK-47 rifles.
Despite these efforts, incidents of violence continue to raise doubts about the sustainability of the peace agreement.
A resident of Isa, who requested anonymity, stressed that the support of the Zamfara State Government is crucial for the deal to hold. He cited reports that Turji himself questioned the government’s involvement and warned the peace would collapse without it.
Even after the accord, bandits loyal to Turji reportedly abducted residents in Shinkafi, despite receiving ransom payments.
Additionally, two commuters were said to have been killed by gunmen along the Shinkafi–Isa road just days ago.
These incidents suggest that while some bandit groups are embracing peace, Turji’s control over his fighters may be limited, and enforcement of the agreement remains a major challenge.