Fifty elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State were abducted by suspected bandits while on a reconciliation mission to meet notorious kingpin Jammo in Dajin Natsira forest.
Maradun LGA Chairman, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident, saying the peace meeting was held without government approval.
“We are against reconciliation with the bandits and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that, but unknown to us the people chose to go on with it,” Dosara said.
He disclosed that Jammo later released 11 of the victims while 39 remain in captivity.
“He released some to just brief the people on the unfortunate incident,” he added.
Councillor of Magami/Faru Ward, Bello Husseini, said the bandit leader requested reconciliation after one of his fighters was killed during a military operation. However, upon the arrival of the 50-man delegation, he allegedly betrayed and abducted them.
Husseini said Jammo is demanding N24 million for three r+fles earlier seized from his group.
“We are against any form of reconciliation because we know they are not trustworthy, they can speak one true statement against a hundred lies.”
“The people he held hostage were elderly and he had no reason to hold them hostage; he betrayed them by saying he is tired of banditry and opted for reconciliation,” he said.
The council chairman and councillor called on security agencies to launch operations in Dajin Natsira forest, insisting stronger military action could help restore peace in several affected Zamfara communities.
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