At least 50 community elders from Magamin Diddi village in Zamfara State have been abducted by bandits while attempting to negotiate peace with the armed group.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Magami/Faru Ward of Maradun Local Government Area, where residents had reportedly initiated efforts to end years of insecurity that have disrupted farming activities.
According to a resident, Musa Sani, the community resolved to seek dialogue with the bandits in the hope of securing safe access to their farmlands ahead of the farming season.
As part of the initiative, 50 elders were selected to meet the bandits in a forest location. However, the peace mission took a tragic turn when the armed men allegedly seized all the delegates.
“The community agreed that reconciliation was the best option if we wanted to return to our farms this year,” Sani said.
“Unfortunately, the bandits rejected the peace arrangement and instead abducted all the elders who went to meet them.”
The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident but criticised the community for carrying out the reconciliation effort without informing local authorities.
He maintained that both the local and state governments oppose negotiations with bandits and have repeatedly advised communities against entering into such agreements.
“We have consistently warned people not to engage bandits in reconciliation talks,” Dosara said.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has made it clear that his administration does not support any form of peace deal with criminal groups.”
The chairman revealed that tensions had already been high in the area, with bandits recently blocking roads leading to the local market following security operations that reportedly killed several of their members.
He questioned the timing of the meeting, saying the bandits were already looking for opportunities to retaliate.
“It is difficult to understand why anyone would choose to meet people who were actively seeking victims to abduct,” he added.
Dosara, however, disclosed that 11 of the abducted elders have since been released, while 39 others remain in captivity.
The incident highlights the worsening security situation in parts of Zamfara State, where communities continue to grapple with bandit attacks, kidnappings and restrictions on farming activities despite ongoing military operations.
