At least 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by bandits while attempting to broker peace with a notorious gang leader in the area.
The victims, drawn from Magami/Faru ward, were reportedly on a reconciliation mission to meet the feared bandit kingpin, Jammo, who operates from the Muntsira Forest, when they were seized.
Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident, describing the elders’ decision to engage the bandits without government approval as unfortunate.
According to him, the state government has consistently opposed negotiations with criminal groups, stressing that Governor Dauda Lawal has never endorsed reconciliation with bandits.
“We are against reconciliation with bandits. The governor has never supported such moves. Unfortunately, the villagers went ahead without informing the authorities,” Dosara said.
