At least 39 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State remain in captivity after suspected bandits abducted a delegation that embarked on a peace mission.
The victims were reportedly seized by a notorious bandit leader known as Jammo, who operates from the Muntsira Forest axis of Maradun.
Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Hon. Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident, stressing that the reconciliation effort was not sanctioned by the Zamfara State Government.
According to Dosara, the state administration under Governor Dauda Lawal has consistently opposed negotiations with bandits, but community members independently proceeded with the meeting.
He explained that Jammo had previously restricted residents’ access to local markets, forcing the local council to provide weekly security escorts to ensure safe movement in the area.
Dosara expressed surprise that the villagers chose to engage with the bandit leader despite the existing security arrangements and warnings against such actions.
The council chairman disclosed that 11 of the abducted individuals had been released, while 39 others remain in the custody of the armed group.
Also speaking, the councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, Hon. Bello Husseini, said Jammo recently suffered setbacks during operations by the Zamfara State security outfit, Askarawa, and the military.
Husseini revealed that the bandit leader allegedly invited the community for reconciliation after losing an associate in a military operation. However, upon their arrival, he reportedly held the delegation hostage and is now demanding N24 million and the return of three rifles allegedly recovered from his group.
He urged both the state and federal governments to intensify military operations in the Dajin Natsira forest to restore security in the area.
