Gunmen abduct 39 Zamfara elders on reconciliation mission
Gunmen have kidnapped 39 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State while on a reconciliation mission. The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday by Jammo, a notorious bandit kingpin said to be in control of the Muntsira Forest in Maradun LGA. The Chairman of Maradun […]
Gunmen have kidnapped 39 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State while on a reconciliation mission.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday by Jammo, a notorious bandit kingpin said to be in control of the Muntsira Forest in Maradun LGA.
The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Monday, but said the villagers embarked on the reconciliation mission without the approval of the government.
“We are against reconciliation with bandits, and Governor Dauda Lawal has never supported such an arrangement. However, unknown to us, the people decided to proceed with it on their own,” Dosara said.
He explained that the bandit leader had previously blocked the community’s access to the market, but the local government consistently provided security escorts to enable residents to travel to the market and return safely.
“I wonder why they chose to meet with those who have been tormenting them. The bandits blocked their access to the market, yet we have been supporting them with security personnel every week to ensure they can conduct their activities safely,” he said.
Dosara further disclosed that a 50-member committee had met with the bandit leader for reconciliation talks, but the bandit kingpin allegedly betrayed the group, releasing only 11 members while holding the remaining 39 captive.
“He released some of them to return and brief the community on the unfortunate incident,” he added.
Also speaking, the councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, Bello Husseini, revealed that Jammo had previously clashed with the Zamfara State community security outfit, Askarawa, during which two of his lieutenants were killed, and their rifles seized.
He said during the last Ramadan period, the bandits launched a reprisal attack, killing two members of the Askarawa and carting away their rifles.
“They killed two of our personnel and took their rifles, while we had earlier killed two of theirs and recovered their weapons,” Husseini said.
He added that Jammo later requested reconciliation after one of his fighters was killed during a military operation in Kandare village.
Despite the state government’s opposition to negotiations with bandits, some members of the community agreed to the proposal.
Husseini said the community constituted a 50-member committee to meet the bandit leader, but upon their arrival, Jammo betrayed them and took them hostage, releasing only 11 persons afterwards.
He disclosed that the bandit kingpin is currently demanding N24 million in exchange for three rifles allegedly seized from his group.
“We are against any form of reconciliation because we know they are not trustworthy. They can tell one truth among a hundred lies.
“The people he is holding hostage are elderly men. He had no justification for detaining them. He deceived them by claiming he was tired of banditry and wanted peace,” Husseini added.
The councillor further stated that he had been forced to relocate from the ward due to the worsening security situation, despite his consistent opposition to reconciliation efforts.
Both the chairman and the councillor called on the government and security agencies to launch a major offensive against bandits operating in the Dajin Natsira forest, which they claimed has never been subjected to sustained military action.
“They have never experienced a serious military confrontation. If the government truly wants to help the people, a security operation even five kilometres from the village will yield significant results,” Husseini said.
He added that clearing the forest would improve security in at least six local government areas, including Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Maru and Bungudu.
The officials appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to intervene urgently.
Husseini said Jammo is regarded as the overall leader of bandits operating in Dajin Natsira, which covers areas such as Bayan Ruwa, Kwargwaro, Aljumma Fulani, Gidan Dawa and Kyetare, although each area has its own subordinate leader.
Attacks on Maradun LGA
Maradun LGA has remained one of the areas worst affected by banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and violent attacks in the North-West.
For years, the council has been regarded as a major hotspot of insecurity, with criminal activities disrupting farming, livestock production, education and normal community life.
Several communities in the area have suffered repeated attacks, leading to the displacement of residents and a decline in economic activities.
In June 2019, armed bandits attacked Faru, Bachiri and Gama Giwa villages in Maradun LGA, killing at least three people and abducting about 20 others.
The attacks continued over the years. In August 2021, armed bandits invaded Gora Namaye town in the early hours of the morning, killing eight people and abducting 25 residents.
Similarly, in November 2022, dozens of farmers working on their farmlands in Yankaba and Gidan Goga communities were kidnapped by bandits.
In 2023, hundreds of armed bandits riding motorcycles reportedly stormed Danbaza community and abducted 47 women and children in one of the largest mass kidnappings recorded in the area.
The insecurity escalated further in April 2024 when bandits attacked Maradun town, the headquarters of the local government area.
During the raid, the attackers reportedly moved from house to house searching for victims and abducted about 30 people.
More recently, communities such as Kaya, Janbako, Gora Namaye, Danbaza, Faru, Bachiri and several surrounding settlements have continued to experience frequent attacks.
The persistent raids have forced many residents to flee to safer locations, resulting in the abandonment of farms, businesses and entire villages.
The recurring attacks have heightened fears among residents and worsened humanitarian challenges in the area, with many communities calling for intensified military operations and sustained security presence to restore peace and enable displaced persons to return to their homes and livelihoods.
Police launch rescue operation
The Zamfara State Police Command has launched a rescue operation to secure the release of 39 persons abducted by armed bandits in Magamin Diddi village.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He said the incident was reported by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maradun Division following a letter submitted by the District Head of Magamin Diddi on June 8, 2026.
According to the report, the abduction occurred on June 7 at about 3:00 pm when a group of 47 residents of Magamin Diddi voluntarily mobilised and travelled to Fadama Forest within the Magamin Diddi axis to meet with the parents of a notorious bandit leader, identified as Jammo Smally.
The visit was reportedly aimed at fostering reconciliation and promoting peaceful engagement with the bandit group.
“While the meeting was ongoing, the bandit kingpin allegedly arrived at the location with members of his gang and forcefully abducted 39 members of the group to an unknown destination,” DSP Yazid said.
He said the command immediately activated efforts to trace the victims and secure their safe release upon receiving the report.
He said operational assets have been deployed to the area, while security operatives are working with available intelligence to locate the abducted persons and rescue them unharmed.
The police spokesperson assured residents that the command is committed to ensuring the safe return of the victims and bringing those responsible for the abduction to justice.
“The Zamfara State Police Command wishes to assure members of the public that every effort is being made to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.
DSP Yazid added that the command would continue to provide updates as investigations and rescue operations progress.