No fewer than 50 elders from Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted after attending a reconciliation meeting with a notorious bandit kingpin known as Jammo.
The elders reportedly met with the gang leader, who controls parts of the Muntsira Forest, in an effort to discuss peace following renewed tensions in the area.
Confirming the incident, Maradun Local Government Chairman, Bello Dosara, said the community leaders held the meeting without informing local authorities, despite the Zamfara State government’s policy against negotiating with bandits.
“I am the chief security officer for Maradun. They should have contacted me at least. Nobody informed me because they knew the leadership of Zamfara State, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, openly bars negotiations with bandits,” Dosara said.
He disclosed that while initial reports suggested 11 elders had been released, he later confirmed that 12 had regained freedom, leaving 38 others still in captivity.
“He released the 12 to go and tell the community people about the unfortunate incident,” he added.
A youth leader from the community, who spoke anonymously, said the bandit leader had also blocked villagers from accessing the local market.
According to him, Jammo had requested the reconciliation meeting after one of his fighters was killed during a recent military operation in Kandare village.
The incident highlights the complex security challenges facing communities in Zamfara, where residents often find themselves caught between armed groups and government policies prohibiting direct negotiations with bandits.
Meanwhile, Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed that authorities were investigating the incident.
“We heard what happened in Maradun, though we are not sure of the number of elders kidnapped and those released. I am still following up with the DPO to get more details. Once that happens, I will call you. The division has also deployed personnel to the community,” he said.
The latest abduction is expected to deepen concerns over insecurity in Zamfara, where rural communities continue to face attacks, kidnappings, and threats from heavily armed criminal groups despite ongoing military operations in the state.
