39 Zamfara residents abducted during peace meeting with bandit leader

At least 39 residents of Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by armed bandits during a locally arranged reconciliation meeting with a suspected bandit leader, according to police authorities.

Community members said the delegation of about 47 to 50 elders had gone into the Fadama forest area for what was intended as a peace dialogue with a suspected bandit leader identified as “Jimo Smally,” aimed at securing safer access to farmlands ahead of the farming season.

A resident, Abdullahi Magami, said the meeting was part of local efforts to reduce persistent attacks and restore relative calm in the area, allowing farmers to return to their fields.

However, the Zamfara State Police Command gave a different account, stating that the group was attacked after entering the forest without formal security clearance.

Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said 47 residents initially went into the forest for reconciliation but were ambushed, with 39 of them subsequently abducted by armed members of the gang.

He said security operatives had been deployed to track the victims and ensure their safe rescue, adding that intelligence units were already working on locating the abductors.

Authorities also confirmed that the community did not inform government security agencies before embarking on the reconciliation mission, raising concerns about the dangers of engaging armed groups without official backing.

Efforts, according to the police, are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted residents and restore calm in the area.