Fifty elders from Magamin Diddi village in Zamfara State set out for a peace meeting with a notorious bandit leader. Only eleven returned. The rest remain hostages in the Muntsira Forest after the bandit kingpin Jammo betrayed the delegation and demanded ₦24 million for their release.
Bello Dosara, chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, confirmed the abduction. He said the elders acted without state approval. Governor Dauda Lawal has repeatedly opposed negotiations with bandits. Dosara revealed that security escorts had been provided weekly to help residents access markets. The elders ignored the protection and walked into a trap.
The bandits released eleven elders to deliver Jammo’s demands. He wants three rifles returned and ₦24 million paid. The rifles were seized during clashes with local vigilantes known as Askarawa. Two of Jammo’s lieutenants were killed in those encounters. Two Askarawa members died in a reprisal attack during Ramadan. The cycle of violence has left both sides armed and vengeful.
Councillor Bello Husseini, who represents Magami/Faru ward, said Jammo claimed he was tired of banditry. The community believed him and sent a 50-man delegation. Husseini called the abduction treacherous. He said the elders were unarmed and elderly. He has since relocated from the area due to escalating insecurity. Husseini urged security agencies to launch sustained operations in the Dajin Natsira forest, a known bandit stronghold.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the abduction. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Yazid Abubakar said 47 residents mobilised for the meeting on June 7. Bandits abducted 39 and took them to an unknown location. Operational assets have been deployed. The police are working on intelligence to locate and rescue the victims. Abubakar assured the public that efforts are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The incident reveals a dangerous pattern. Rural communities, desperate for peace, bypass government warnings and negotiate directly with bandits. These talks often end in betrayal. The state government’s opposition to reconciliation stems from repeated failures. Bandits use peace talks to restock weapons, extort money, and abduct more victims. The cycle continues because communities have no other options.
Security experts warn that bandit strongholds like Muntsira and Dajin Natsira forests are expanding. These areas now span multiple local government areas. Bandits control access to markets, farms, and roads. They impose taxes on villagers. Military operations have disrupted some camps, but bandits regroup quickly. The federal government’s kinetic approach has not stopped the abductions. Villagers say they need protection, not just raids.
The ₦24 million ransom demand highlights another systemic failure. Local governments lack funds to pay ransoms. Families are left to negotiate alone. Bandits exploit this weakness. They release a few hostages to pressure communities into paying. The released elders often return traumatised. Some refuse to speak about their ordeal. Others warn against further negotiations.
Governor Lawal’s administration faces a credibility crisis. His opposition to reconciliation is clear. Yet, his security measures have not stopped the abductions. Villagers say they feel abandoned. They accuse the government of prioritising urban security over rural areas. The state’s security architecture relies heavily on vigilantes. These groups are poorly equipped and underfunded. They cannot match the firepower of bandits.
