Fifty elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area in Zamfara State have been abducted after a reconciliation mission to a suspected bandit leader ended in captivity.
The incident reportedly involved a delegation that went to meet a bandit kingpin identified as Jammo, who is said to control operations in the Muntsira Forest within Maradun LGA. The group was allegedly intercepted and taken hostage during what was intended as a peace dialogue.
The Chairman of Maradun Local Government, Hon. Bello Dosara, confirmed the development, noting that the delegation proceeded without official government approval. He stressed that the state government had not endorsed any form of negotiation with armed groups.
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According to him, while authorities had been providing security escorts to help residents access markets affected by insecurity, the community independently chose to engage the armed group.
He confirmed that 11 of the abducted elders had since been released, while 39 others remained in captivity.
Local councillor Bello Husseini also gave further details, saying the bandit leader had previously clashed with a local security outfit known as “Askarawa,” resulting in casualties on both sides and escalating tensions in the area.
He claimed that the delegation of 50 elders was formed by the community in an attempt to reach peace, but the mission turned into an ambush upon arrival at the forest area.
Husseini added that the bandit leader is now reportedly demanding a ransom for seized firearms linked to earlier clashes.
Both local officials described the incident as a serious betrayal and called for stronger military action against bandit enclaves in the region, particularly forested areas believed to serve as operational bases for armed groups.
They also urged federal and state authorities to intensify security operations across affected local government areas in Zamfara State, warning that continued instability could further endanger surrounding communities.
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