39 Abducted as Zamfara Villagers’ Reconciliation Mission Ends in Disaster

At least 39 residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by armed bandits while attempting to negotiate peace with a notorious criminal gang operating in the area.

The victims, most of whom were community elders and respected members of the village, reportedly travelled to Fadama Forest to meet with the parents of a feared bandit leader identified as Smally.

According to sources within the community, the delegation had embarked on the mission in a bid to improve relations between villagers and the armed group and to ease restrictions imposed on residents.

However, the meeting reportedly took a dramatic turn when the bandit kingpin arrived at the location with heavily armed members of his gang and ordered the abduction of dozens of participants.

The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident and described it as unfortunate and deeply regrettable.

Dosara disclosed that the peace initiative was organised independently by the villagers without the knowledge or approval of the local government authorities.

He reiterated that both the Zamfara State Government and local authorities have consistently maintained a policy against negotiating with bandits.

According to him, although the community had faced restrictions imposed by the criminals, government authorities had regularly provided security escorts to enable residents access markets and conduct economic activities safely.

The council chairman further revealed that some of the abducted persons had since been released by the bandits to relay information about the incident to the community, while efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the mass abduction and announced the commencement of a rescue operation.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed that a report from the District Head of Magamin Diddi indicated that 47 residents mobilised themselves for the reconciliation mission on June 7, 2026.

According to the police spokesman, 39 members of the delegation were subsequently abducted and taken to an undisclosed location by the bandits.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Zamfara State Police Command immediately initiated efforts to trace the whereabouts of the victims and secure their safe rescue. Operational assets have been deployed and security operatives are working on available intelligence to locate the abducted persons,” Abubakar stated.

The command assured residents that every available resource was being deployed to ensure the safe recovery of the victims and the arrest of those responsible.

“The Command assures members of the public that every effort is being made to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the police spokesman added.

The latest incident underscores the worsening security challenges confronting several communities in Zamfara State, where bandit groups continue to carry out attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes despite ongoing military and security operations.