GUSAU, Nigeria — Armed bandits have kidnapped 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State after inviting them for a reconciliation meeting, local authorities have confirmed.
Okay News reports that the victims were reportedly abducted by a notorious bandit leader identified as Jammo, who operates from the Muntsira Forest area of the state.
Maradun Local Government Chairman, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident and said the villagers embarked on the reconciliation mission without the approval of the state government. He stressed that both the local government and Governor Dauda Lawal oppose negotiations with bandits.
According to Dosara, the armed group had previously blocked the community’s access to local markets, prompting authorities to provide security escorts for residents during market visits. He questioned why community members chose to engage directly with the bandits despite ongoing security support.
The council chairman disclosed that 11 of the abducted elders had since been released, while 39 others remain in captivity. He said those freed were sent back to inform the community about the situation.
Also speaking, the councillor representing Magami/Faru Ward, Bello Husseini, said the reconciliation effort followed a series of clashes between local security volunteers known as Askarawa and the bandits. He explained that both sides had suffered casualties and lost weapons during separate confrontations.
Husseini said Jammo recently requested peace talks after one of his fighters was killed during a military operation. Community leaders reportedly agreed to send a 50-member delegation despite government opposition to negotiations.
According to him, the bandit leader later betrayed the delegation by taking them hostage and is now demanding N24 million in exchange for three rifles allegedly seized from his group.
The councillor described the incident as proof that bandits cannot be trusted, noting that the abducted individuals were elderly community members who posed no threat. He also called on security agencies to launch operations against criminal camps in Dajin Natsira forest, which he described as a major bandit stronghold in Zamfara State.
Local officials urged both the state and federal governments to intensify military operations in the area, arguing that clearing the forest would significantly improve security across several local government areas affected by bandit attacks.
