At least 50 elderly residents from Magamin Diddi village, located in the Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have been abducted by bandits while attempting to broker peace with a notorious gang leader.
According to Daily Trust, the victims were seized by a feared bandit kingpin, Jammo, who operates from the Muntsira Forest in Maradun.
Hon. Bello Dosara, Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, confirmed the incident and described it as unfortunate.
He emphasized that the peace mission was undertaken without the approval of either the local or the state government, reiterating that Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration is firmly opposed to any negotiations with armed bandits.
We are against reconciliation with bandits, and Governor Dauda Lawal has never supported such arrangements. Unfortunately, the community members decided to proceed with the meeting without informing the authorities, Dosara said.
Despite ongoing security challenges, Dosara noted that the local government has regularly provided security escorts to help residents access markets and conduct essential activities. He expressed surprise and disappointment that the villagers chose to negotiate directly with the same group responsible for restricting their economic activities.
I don’t understand why they decided to meet with people who had blocked their access to markets, when the government has supported them with security protection every week, he added.
Of the abducted villagers, 11 have since regained their freedom, while 39 remain in captivity. Dosara said those released were sent back to their communities to relay the bandits’ demands.
Bello Husseini, the councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, revealed that tensions between local vigilante groups—known as Askarawa—and the bandits had escalated recently. Security operatives reportedly killed two of Jammo’s lieutenants and recovered their rifles, prompting a reprisal attack during Ramadan in which two Askarawa members were killed and their weapons seized. Jammo then proposed reconciliation after losing an associate in a military operation in Kandare village, and community leaders, despite government opposition, formed a 50-member delegation to meet him. However, the bandit leader betrayed them, abducting the entire group and later releasing only 11 members.
Jammo is reportedly demanding N24 million in exchange for three rifles allegedly taken from his group. Husseini argued that the government’s refusal to negotiate with bandits is justified, as such groups cannot be trusted to honor agreements. “The people being held are elderly men who went there in good faith. He claimed he was tired of banditry and wanted peace, but he betrayed them,” Husseini said.
Due to insecurity, Husseini has been forced to relocate from the ward and has called on security agencies to launch sustained operations against criminal elements in Dajin Natsira forest. Both the local government chairman and the councillor urged state and federal authorities to intensify military efforts in the area, emphasizing that dismantling bandit camps would enhance security across several local government areas in Zamfara State. They specifically appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to intervene and secure the release of those still held captive.
Jammo is considered one of the most influential bandit leaders in the Dajin Natsira axis, which covers several settlements including Bayan Ruwa, Kwargwaro, Aljumma Fulani, Gidan Dawa, and Kyetare.
