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No fewer than 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Janmo.
The victims were reportedly on a reconciliation mission when they were kidnapped by the gang leader, said to be in control of the Muntsira Forest in the area.
Chairman of Maradun Local Government, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident, noting that the community members embarked on the mission without government approval. He stressed that both the council and the state government, led by Dauda Lawal, do not support negotiations with bandits.
Dosara explained that the bandits had earlier restricted villagers’ access to markets but that authorities had been providing weekly security escorts to enable residents to trade safely.
He disclosed that 11 of the abducted persons had been released, while 39 remain in captivity.
Also speaking, the councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, Bello Husseini, revealed that the bandit leader had previously clashed with the state security outfit, Askarawa, resulting in casualties on both sides and the seizure of weapons.
According to him, the kingpin had initially requested reconciliation following recent military operations in Kandare village, but allegedly betrayed the delegation by abducting them upon arrival.
Husseini added that Janmo is demanding ₦24 million in exchange for three rifles reportedly seized from his group.
The local officials jointly called on security agencies to launch decisive operations in the “Dajin Natsira” forest, believed to be the stronghold of the bandits, noting that the area has largely escaped sustained military confrontation.
They also appealed to both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Ministry of Defence to urgently intervene and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
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