JUST IN: Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji surrenders arms, releases 32 kidnapped victims in Zamfara - Newstrends
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JUST IN: Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji surrenders arms, releases 32 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

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"We're Ready for Talks or War" — Bello Turji Dares FG After Deadly Sokoto Ambush

JUST IN: Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji surrenders arms, releases 32 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

 

 

Notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, has reportedly surrendered some of his arms and released 32 kidnapped victims as part of a peace initiative facilitated by Islamic clerics in Zamfara State.

 

Musa Yusuf, a cleric popularly known as Asadus-Sunnah, disclosed the development at a religious gathering on Monday in Kaduna.

 

Yusuf said Turji also surrendered some of his arms after the meeting in the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

 

The cleric said Shinkafi residents engaged his team of clerics to appeal to Turji to let them access their farms in the forest. He said the meeting took place three times in July in the Fakai forest.

 

“We met Mr Turji, Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila. The speculation that Dan Bakkolo was killed is not true. These individuals are responsible for the insecurity in the area, and they all agreed to the peace proposals,” Yusuf said.

 

 

“ We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante.”

 

He explained that the group surrendered some of their weapons in three phases and allowed residents to resume farming activities in forest areas previously under their control.

 

As part of the peace deal, Turji also released 32 kidnapped individuals. Yusuf presented a video showing the difficult terrain the freed captives had to cross to reach Turji’s camp.

 

Yusuf noted that the clerics are still engaging with Turji to secure a complete cessation of hostilities.

 

He added that they deliberately did not demand the surrender of all weapons to avoid making Turji vulnerable to attacks from rival groups that may not be part of the peace process.

 

The cleric commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba for supporting a non-kinetic approach in addressing the security challenges of the area.

 

In October, Turji warned that peace would continue to elude Zamfara State until the security forces and vigilante groups stopped attacking the Fulanis.

 

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.

 

“The blame game over the worsening security situation between Governor Lawal and Bello Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, was political, saying both politicians do not have their people’s best interests at heart, ” Turji said, in a video clip.

 

JUST IN: Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji surrenders arms, releases 32 kidnapped victims in Zamfara

 

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Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks

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Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks
Dangote-branded trucks

Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has launched a nationwide whistleblower programme offering a N500,000 cash reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage or the interception of unauthorised goods transported using Dangote-branded trucks.

The initiative is part of the company’s renewed efforts to protect the integrity of its nationwide logistics network, prevent the misuse of its branded vehicles and strengthen compliance across its supply chain.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Dangote Industries urged members of the public, transport unions, customers, host communities and security agencies to support the campaign by reporting any suspicious use of the company’s trucks.

The company explained that the whistleblower programme is designed to eliminate the activities of individuals who illegally use Dangote trucks to transport unauthorised goods or engage in commercial haulage outside the approved operations of the company’s subsidiaries.

According to the company, such activities not only violate corporate policies but also expose road users to safety risks, undermine regulatory compliance, damage the company’s reputation and compromise the integrity of its logistics operations.

To eliminate any ambiguity, Dangote Industries outlined the categories of products that each subsidiary is authorised to transport.

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It stated that Dangote Cement trucks are permitted to haul only cement, limestone, clinker, coal and high-grade gypsum. Trucks belonging to Dangote Sugar Refinery are authorised to transport only sugar products, while vehicles operated by NASCON Allied Industries are restricted to conveying Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products.

Similarly, trucks belonging to Dangote Packaging are designated exclusively for bags and packaging materials. Vehicles operated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals are authorised to transport polypropylene products, while trucks belonging to Dangote Fertiliser Limited are permitted to haul only urea fertiliser.

The company warned that any Dangote-branded truck found transporting unauthorised goods would be treated as engaging in illegal haulage, regardless of the owner of the cargo.

It added that both the driver and the owner of the unauthorised goods risk arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution in accordance with applicable laws.

As part of the whistleblower initiative, the company said anyone whose information leads to the arrest of offenders or the recovery of unauthorised goods being transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of N500,000.

To support investigations, the company urged whistleblowers to provide detailed information, including the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, current location, colour of the vehicle, description of the goods being transported and, where possible, photographs of both the truck and its cargo.

Dangote Industries disclosed that dedicated reporting hotlines have been established across its operations, particularly for trucks operating from the Obajana, Okpella and Gboko plants, to enable prompt reporting and swift action by security agencies.

The company further revealed that the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant law enforcement agencies have been authorised to arrest any driver found using company trucks for unauthorised commercial haulage or transporting prohibited goods.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud, Dangote Industries said the initiative forms part of broader measures to improve transparency, accountability and operational efficiency across its nationwide distribution network.

The company stressed that public participation remains critical to the success of the campaign, assuring whistleblowers that credible information will be treated confidentially while appropriate rewards will be paid to eligible informants.

It added that the campaign aligns with its commitment to safeguarding company assets, protecting customers, promoting road safety and ensuring that only authorised products are transported using Dangote-branded trucks across Nigeria.

Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks

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Breaking: Gunmen kidnap Oyo school headmaster, demand ₦30 million ransom

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Breaking: Gunmen kidnap Oyo school headmaster, demand ₦30 million ransom
Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade

Breaking: Gunmen kidnap Oyo school headmaster, demand ₦30 million ransom

Fresh concerns over insecurity in Oyo State have emerged following the abduction of Mr. Matthew Kolawale Owoade, the 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, by suspected gunmen who are demanding ₦30 million for his release.

The incident occurred barely days after security agencies successfully rescued dozens of abducted pupils, teachers and caregivers in Oriire Local Government Area, raising fresh fears over the safety of residents in rural communities across the state.

According to available information, Owoade, popularly known in his community as Onaiye, was abducted on Saturday, July 11, 2026, between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while returning home from his farm in Budo Aare, a community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the headmaster was intercepted by heavily armed men who forced him into captivity before fleeing to an unknown destination.

The family disclosed that the kidnappers contacted them shortly after the abduction using the victim’s mobile phone and demanded a ₦30 million ransom for his release.

The ransom demand has thrown the victim’s family, colleagues, pupils and members of the local community into deep anxiety, with many appealing to security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.

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In a significant development, a local search team recovered the victim’s abandoned motorcycle in a nearby bush at about 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, providing investigators with a possible clue as security operatives continue efforts to locate the abductors.

The kidnapping has sparked widespread condemnation within the education community in Itesiwaju Local Government Area, with teachers, parents and community leaders describing the incident as a serious threat to education and public safety.

They called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) and other security agencies to ensure the immediate and unconditional rescue of the headmaster.

Residents also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the victim and arresting those responsible for the crime.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the police had commenced a rescue operation.

“I can confirm to you that a farmer, Mr. Owoade Matthew, was kidnapped at his farm in Budo Aare, and efforts are on to rescue the man unhurt and arrest the perpetrator,” the police spokesperson said.

Security sources disclosed that intelligence gathering and coordinated search operations are ongoing across the area as security agencies work to secure the victim’s safe release.

The latest abduction comes shortly after the successful rescue of 49 abducted pupils, teachers and caregivers who were freed during a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving the military, police, DSS, Amotekun and other security agencies after being kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area.

The fresh incident has renewed concerns over the activities of kidnappers operating in parts of Oyo State, particularly in remote farming communities where residents have repeatedly called for stronger security patrols and improved intelligence gathering.

Community leaders warned that persistent attacks on farmers, teachers and other residents could negatively affect education, agricultural production and economic activities if urgent and sustained security measures are not implemented.

They urged both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to strengthen security across vulnerable communities, improve surveillance and ensure that perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes are brought to justice.

As investigations continue, residents remain hopeful that the combined efforts of security agencies will lead to the safe rescue of the abducted headmaster and the arrest of those behind the crime.

Breaking: Gunmen kidnap Oyo school headmaster, demand ₦30 million ransom

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Gunmen kill nine family members, two-month-old baby in fresh Plateau attack

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Mutfwang Bans Night Mining, Grazing After Deadly Plateau Attacks
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang

Gunmen kill nine family members, two-month-old baby in fresh Plateau attack

Fresh violence has rocked Plateau State after suspected gunmen killed nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, during a deadly overnight attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area.

The attack, described by residents as one of the deadliest assaults on the communities in recent months, reportedly began at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour. The attackers, who reportedly operated in large numbers, stormed the communities under the cover of darkness, firing indiscriminately and forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen moved from house to house, attacking helpless residents and leaving a trail of death and destruction. Among those killed were nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, in what residents described as a heartbreaking massacre.

A resident, Precious Tok, said the attackers invaded homes without resistance and carried out the killings while many victims were asleep.

“The gunmen came in large numbers, shooting everywhere. We could hear screams from the houses. They entered homes and slaughtered people. It was one of the deadliest attacks we have seen here in recent times,” the resident said.

Another resident, who asked not to be identified, said the victims had no opportunity to escape.

“Even a two-month-old baby was not spared. We ran into the bush for safety and only returned in the morning to see the bodies. We buried our children with our own hands. We are tired of these repeated attacks,” the resident lamented.

The attack also left the village head critically injured after he was reportedly shot by the assailants. He was rushed to a hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers struck while residents were asleep and unleashed violence on defenceless villagers.

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According to him, the attack completely wiped out one family, including the father, mother and their children, while several other residents sustained injuries.

Tengwong described the killings as another tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting communities in Riyom Local Government Area and other parts of Plateau State.

He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, stressing that communities have continued to suffer repeated attacks despite the presence of security personnel in the state.

The latest attack has thrown Kum and Wereng-Camp into mourning, with grieving families calling on the Federal Government, the Plateau State Government and security agencies to strengthen security around vulnerable communities and prevent further bloodshed.

Residents said the recurring attacks have displaced many families, disrupted farming activities and heightened fears among communities that depend largely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Following the latest assault, security personnel were deployed to the affected communities to restore calm and prevent further violence, while local authorities commenced efforts to assess the extent of the destruction and provide support for affected families.

As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the attack, although community leaders said security agencies had been notified immediately after the incident.

The fresh killings come amid persistent security challenges in Plateau State, where several communities have experienced repeated attacks in recent years, resulting in hundreds of deaths, displacement of residents and destruction of homes and farmlands.

Despite ongoing military and security operations across parts of the state, residents have continued to demand stronger intelligence gathering, increased deployment of security personnel and decisive measures to dismantle armed groups responsible for the recurring violence.

Community leaders, civil society organisations and religious groups have also renewed calls for lasting peace initiatives, justice for victims and improved protection for rural communities vulnerable to attacks.

The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for sustained security interventions and closer collaboration among government, security agencies and local communities to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace in Plateau State.

Gunmen kill nine family members, two-month-old baby in fresh Plateau attack

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