Musa Yusuf, a well-known cleric also referred to as Asadus-Sunnah, stated during a religious event in Kaduna on Monday that the notorious terrorist, Bello Turji, has released 32 abducted persons and committed to ending attacks on local farmers following several discussions with Islamic clerics at his hideout in Zamfara State.

He mentioned that part of the agreement involved Turji handing over some of his weapons, representing a step towards stability in the Shinkafi Local Government Area.

Yusuf explained that the July negotiations in the Fakai forest included Turji and other prominent individuals such as Dan Bakkolo, Black, Kanawa, and Malam Ila, who all consented to peaceful terms aimed at granting farmers safe access to their farmlands.

He said, according to unconfirmed reports, “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.

“They surrendered the arms in three phases at different times, and allowed the residents of Shinkafi to access their farms in the forest across the river heading to Mr Turji enclaves. We agreed that the Fulanis must be allowed to go to town without being stereotyped or killed by the vigilante.

“He (Mr Turji) also released 32 kidnapped captives as part of the peace agreement,” Mr Yusuf said and showed the video of some of the released captives and the difficult terrain they crossed to reach Mr Turji’s camp.

He noted that the released victims, which included women and children, had been in captivity for nearly four months. Some women reportedly gave birth during their time in captivity, while one suffered a snake bite.

Yusuf said that the area known as the Shinkafi axis has seen significant calm since the deal, with residents now farming without fear of being abducted.

He added that the clerics are continuing efforts to convince Mr Turji to fully embrace peace but avoided requesting the complete surrender of weapons to prevent making him vulnerable to rival groups that may oppose the peace effort.

He urged fellow clerics criticizing Mr Turji online to desist, warning that their comments could worsen tensions.

He said the accord with Mr Turji may not completely end terrorism in Zamfara but noted that the communities in his domain are now enjoying peace.

Yusuf commended President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Senator Shehu Buba for endorsing a non-violent strategy to tackle insecurity in the region.

In a video from October, Mr Turji had warned that peace would remain elusive in Zamfara unless security forces and vigilantes stopped targeting the Fulanis. “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 also described the political disputes between Governor Lawal and Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, as lacking in concern for the people’s well-being.

A suspected contract killer, Wasiu Akinwande, also known as Olori Eso, has been brought before the Ogba Magistrate Court by the Lagos State Police Command on 11 charges, which include murder, illegal possession of firearms, and other criminal offences.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a statement shared with The Punch on Tuesday.

According to The Punch, Akinwande, aged 44 and dubbed the “most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer,” was arrested during a strategic operation titled “Silence, Speed and Surprise” conducted by the Command’s Tactical Squad at his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State.

Akinwande, known for his violent acts in Mushin and nearby locations, had evaded arrest until he was finally tracked to Ogun State.

Authorities recovered a large number of weapons and other incriminating materials from his residence, which the suspect “freely admitted he was using for his killing operations with his gang.”

Hundeyin stated, “Wasiu Akinwande aka Olori Eso is currently being arraigned at the Ogba Magistrate Court on an eleven-count charge.”

Among the charges is the alleged killing of Bankole Yusuf and Ramadan Yusuf on July 31, 2024, in Mushin.

Another charge alleges that he murdered 10-year-old Aminat Lateef on December 9, 2010, while she was on an errand in the Fadeyi area of Lagos.

The court documents state, “That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m’ and others now at large, on or before the 31st day of July 2024, at Idi-araba area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did knowingly, unlawfully killed Ayinla ‘m’ surname unknown, Ojaja ‘m’ surname unknown and three other unknown persons (now deceased) by shooting them directly during a clash between your faction (known as unlawful society) with the AK 47 rifles in your possession and thereafter abscond to Alagbado area where you were tracked/arrested and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m and others now at large, on the 31st day of July 2024, at No. 11, Mosalashi Street, Mushin, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully have in your possession K2 assault rifle with breach No. AR72739, Two AK-47 rifles with breach Nos. 0275 & 5688, Two locally made single barrel pistol, 70 rounds of 5.56 live ammunition, 27 round of 9mm live ammunition, 57 cartridges, three walkie talkies and One poisonous dagger, which you use for your unlawful activities in the society and you could not give a satisfactory account of how they came into your possession and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(1)(a)(b)(ii) of the Firearm Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 17th day of February 2011, at Awoniyi Street, Idi-Araba, Mushin – Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did attempt to kill one Awawu Ajalara ‘f’ aged 58 years by shooting at her both legs with AK47 rifle in your possession and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 230(a) of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

“That you, Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Esho m and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did unlawfully cause grievous harm to one Awawu Ajalara ‘f’ aged 58 years by shooting at her both legs with AK47 rifle in your possession, which caused her permanent disability and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 245 of the Law, Ch., C17, Vol 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.”

In a significant move toward fostering synergy between key players in the real estate sector, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State Branch, ESV Tosin Kadiri, led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking KOF. The visit, which took place at the Adron Homes Head Office, demonstrated the growing need for strategic partnerships to accelerate housing delivery and professional integration within Nigeria’s real estate ecosystem.

Welcoming the NIESV delegation, the Group Chairman, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, a proud member of the Institute, shared an inspiring insight into the journey that birthed Adron Homes. He recalled his early professional experiences in estate management, which shaped his vision to transition into property development, not merely to build houses, but to create cities, communities, and homes that endure.

“Adron Homes was not born out of convenience, but of a calling,” he stated. “The industry is rife with challenges, but if you are truly called and driven by vision, you will stand out. We’ve seen many fall by the wayside, but with determination, resilience, and strategic thinking, we have continued to build and grow.”

He highlighted Adron’s innovative application of the labelling theory in estate development, thematically branding each estate to reflect cultural or geographic inspiration. This, he noted, along with Adron’s heavy investment in infrastructure, has set the company apart as a responsible, visionary, and futuristic developer.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, the Chairman of NIESV Lagos Branch, ESV Kadiri Tosin, lauded Adron Homes as a formidable pillar in the Nigerian real estate landscape. He admired the scale and consistency of Adron’s developments and emphasized the need for a more structured relationship between the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), and Adron Homes.

“We are here to seek collaboration. We believe that our members can tap into the vast structures and opportunities that Adron Homes has already created,” he stated. Adding to the discourse, the Chairman of the NIESV Cooperative Society echoed the call for a deeper partnership. He proposed a collaborative housing scheme wherein Adron Homes could allocate a zone within its existing estates for NIESV members to create bespoke properties, aligned with their professional dreams and financial capabilities. According to him, “This collaboration could bring our collective dream into the larger Adron vision.”

In addition, the NIESV Lagos Chairman proposed a strategic partnership where experienced members of the institute, particularly those with expertise in estate and facility management, can be integrated into Adron Homes’ operations to create added value across its estates.

In his response, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking welcomed the proposals with open arms, expressing optimism about the future of a deepened collaboration between both parties.

“We’ve enjoyed a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship with NIESV Lagos Branch in the past,” he said. “This administration brings renewed energy, and we are eager to deepen that relationship in meaningful and strategic ways. We are always open to working with professionals whose values align with our mission and vision.”

Members of the NIESV Lagos Branch delegation took turns to commend the impressive footprint of Adron Homes across the nation. One of the executives remarked, “This visit has been an eye-opener. As practitioners in the industry, we often underestimate the breadth and depth of being a real estate developer. Today, we’ve gained a new perspective, and more importantly, renewed inspiration.”

In attendance at the high-level meeting were several NIESV executives; the Vice-Chairman, ESV Ayodeji Odeleye, the Honorary Secretary, ESV Olaseni Lojede, among others, as well as Adron Group’s management team, including the Managing Director, Adenike Ajobo; the Group Company Secretary, Shola Orunmuyiwa; the Deputy Managing Director, Business Investment, Chitola Roberts; the Chief Press Secretary, Maureen Echefu; and the Personal Assistant to the Chairman, Faruq Salisu, among other company executives.

The meeting ended on a promising note, with both institutions expressing strong commitment to building a collaborative future. The engagement marks a pivotal step toward the professionalization of housing development and delivery, opening doors to mutually rewarding collaborations between developers and estate professionals.

With visionaries like Aare Adetola Emmanuelking at the helm, championing sustainable development and collaboration, the future of Nigeria’s real estate industry continues to look exceptionally bright.