Police launch rescue operation after bandits abduct elders in Zamfara.

By Idris Salisu, Gusau

ZAMFARA — Police authorities report that at least 39 residents of the Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State were abducted by bandits while attempting to hold a peace and reconciliation meeting with a suspected bandit leader.

Community sources say that between 47 and 50 elders had initially gathered to meet a suspected bandit leader known as “Jimo Smally” in the Fadama forest area. The meeting was intended as a dialogue to restore peace and allow farmers safe access to their fields during the farming season.

A resident, Abdullahi Magami, explained that the meeting was organized locally to reduce attacks and enable farmers to return to their fields. He said the group was later surrounded and abducted during the encounter.

However, the Zamfara State Police Command provided a different account of the incident.

Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar stated that the Command received a report from the Maradun Division indicating that 47 residents had entered the forest for a reconciliation meeting when they were attacked. According to him, the bandit leader allegedly arrived with armed members of his gang and abducted 39 of the participants to an unknown location.

He added that the Command had deployed operational teams and intelligence units to track the victims and secure their rescue. “Upon receipt of the report, the Command immediately commenced efforts to locate the victims and ensure their safe rescue,” he said.

The police said that security agencies are working to trace the abductors and recover the victims unharmed. Local officials confirmed that the community did not formally notify government authorities before attempting the reconciliation initiative, raising concerns about the risks involved in such engagements with armed groups. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted residents.

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