Notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has released about 100 captives as part of a renewed peace initiative in Zamfara State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert, that the release followed ongoing dialogue and confidence-building efforts led by community leaders under the North West Operation Safe Corridor peace process.

The victims, including men, women, and children, were handed over to local authorities and taken to a hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their families.

A source involved in the negotiations said the release was part of an agreement with Turji’s camp to embrace peace and end hostilities in affected communities.

According to the source, 36 people were initially released, followed by eight others, bringing the number to 46 before the remaining captives were freed, totaling over 100.

The source added that more releases are expected as discussions continue between Turji’s group and mediators.

Authorities said they are maintaining close surveillance to ensure the credibility of the peace process and prevent any group from exploiting it to regroup or rearm.

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Civil rights activist Dele Farotimi has criticized the Nigerian Police and the judiciary for restricting citizens from holding peaceful protests, describing their actions as evidence that Nigeria is “mimicking democracy.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Farotimi argued that in a true democracy, citizens should not need police permission to protest, adding that the police should only be informed to provide security.

“That a court would curtail the right of citizens to protest peacefully suggests we are not in a democracy. We’re only pretending to be,” he said.

His remarks followed Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, led by activist Omoyele Sowore. Protesters marched despite a court order and police warnings, chanting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu before being dispersed by teargas.

Farotimi also faulted the judiciary, saying it acts as an extension of the executive and no longer serves justice. He added that citizens who protest peacefully should not face criminal charges, arguing that only violent offenders should be arrested.

He cited his own experience with a court case filed under what he described as a “non-existent law,” highlighting flaws in Nigeria’s legal system. Farotimi further criticized the government’s handling of past protests, including the 2020 EndSARS movement, noting that police units were merely rebranded without meaningful reform.

Responding to the protest, police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin said the use of teargas was necessary to protect critical infrastructure in Abuja and maintain law and order, in line with a court order restricting protests around Aso Rock and other sensitive locations.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Barr Kenneth Okonkwo has slammed the recent presidential pardon granted convicts of various crimes in the country.

Featuring on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST, the Nollywood veteran-turned politician also decried what he referred to as a systemic corruption being experienced in Nigeria.

It was recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently granted clemency to several inmates including Maryam Sanda, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband.

“The truth is that what we are going through in Nigeria today is systemic corruption. It is systemic because there’s no deterrence. In a nation where corruption is not deterred, when you want to fight it, you are at a risk.

“The civil servants are now colluding with the politicians to extort Nigeria and to manipulate the process for their benefits. So, the issue now is that you see how corruption is working on two legs.

“Quite painful is even the ones that are charged and convicted down to the Supreme Court, you will see politicians, like president Bola Tinubu just did. Pardoning some corrupt people that even the Supreme Court has declared corrupt and jailed.

“When you pardon such people, you are sending a message to people that there is no need to stick their neck against such people because such people will come back to the system as elected and they will begin to take their pound of flesh on the people that genuinely fought and that they are jailed.

“So, I see the presidential pardon as an act of incompetence,” he said.

Source: dailypost.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM