On 12 November, in the evening, the head of the Central Security Department of the Libyan Intelligence Service (LIS) Brigadier General Mustafa al-Wahishi was released and handed over to his family in Janzour. After the release of al-Wahishi, the Zintanis ended the blockade of the road from Nalut to Tripoli in Qasr al-Haji and withdrew their forces from the pipeline valve near Riyayna and from the Bir al-Ghanam area near al Aziziyah.
On 13 November, the LIS officially announced that Mustafa al-Wahishi had been released ‘after inten sive efforts’ without identifying the kidnappers. The following day, the Head of the LIS LTG Hussein al-Aib visited al-Wahishi in his house in Tripoli.
On 15 November, al-Wahishi was received in Zintan by the military leaders, including Brigadier General al-Ajami al-Atiri (who was also kidnapped a couple of weeks ago) and the notables & elders of the city. Al-Wahishi expressed his gratitude for all the support of his city which led to his release. Furthermore, dignitaries from the cities and tribes of the south, the coast, and from other cities of the Nafousa Mountains were also present.
On 16 November, rumours emerged according to which al-Wahishi had been kidnapped by a group affiliated to Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) commander Abdul Ghani al-Kikli aka Ghinaywa.