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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji releases 100 captives in fresh peace deal
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.
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The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.
According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.
The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.
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Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.
The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.
According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.
In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.
Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.
Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.
In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.
The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.
Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.
He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.
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Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.
Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.
While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.
14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.
The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.
The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.
Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty
PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident
PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest
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