A fresh security crisis has hit Zamfara State after armed bandits reportedly abducted about 50 community elders who attended a reconciliation meeting with a notorious bandit leader inside a forest in Maradun Local Government Area.
The elders, said to be from Magamin Diddi village, were allegedly invited to meet with Jammo, a feared bandit kingpin believed to be operating from the Muntsira Forest.
According to local authorities, the meeting was held without the approval or knowledge of the state government, which has consistently maintained a policy against negotiating with criminal groups.
Confirming the incident, Maradun LGA Chairman, Bello Dosara, said the community leaders failed to notify security authorities before attending the meeting.
“I am the chief security officer for Maradun. They should have contacted me. Nobody informed me because they knew the Zamfara State Government has openly barred negotiations with bandits,” Dosara said.
He disclosed that while initial reports suggested 11 victims had been freed, security checks later confirmed that 12 elders were released, leaving 38 others still in captivity.
“He released the 12 to go and tell the community what happened,” Dosara added.
A community youth leader, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the bandit leader had allegedly requested the reconciliation meeting after one of his fighters was killed during a recent military operation in the area.
The source also claimed that the bandit kingpin had blocked villagers from accessing the local market, further worsening conditions for residents.
The Zamfara State Police Command also acknowledged the incident but said it was still verifying the exact number of victims involved.
“We heard what happened in Maradun, though we are not sure of the number of elders kidnapped and those released. We are following up with the DPO for more details,” police spokesperson DSP Yazid Abubakar said.
He added that security personnel have already been deployed to the affected community as efforts continue to gather intelligence and secure the release of those still being held.
The latest incident highlights the persistent insecurity in parts of Zamfara, where bandit groups continue to carry out kidnappings, attacks and extortion despite ongoing military operations.
