At least 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru ward of Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have been abducted by armed bandits while reportedly on a reconciliation mission.
The incident was linked to a suspected bandit leader, Jammo, who operates within the Muntsira Forest axis of Maradun LGA.
Local authorities confirmed that the victims travelled without official approval from either the government or security agencies. Maradun Local Government Chairman, Bello Dosara, described the development as unfortunate, stressing that the community acted independently.
“We are against reconciliation with the bandits, and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that. Unknown to us, the people chose to go ahead with it,” he said.
Partial Release of Victims Confirmed
Authorities disclosed that the armed group later released 11 of the abducted elders, while 39 others remain in captivity.
Dosara expressed concern over repeated engagements between communities and armed groups, warning against unsanctioned dialogue efforts. He added that despite security arrangements being provided to facilitate access to local markets, residents still proceeded with the meeting.
Cycle of Violence in the Area
A local councillor, Bello Husseini, said the area has experienced recurring attacks and reprisals involving bandits and local security outfits, including the state-backed Askarawa group.
According to him, previous clashes resulted in casualties on both sides, further escalating tensions in the region.
Husseini also alleged that the bandit leader demanded ₦24 million for the return of seized weapons.
Community leaders have called on security agencies to intensify operations in the Dajin Natsira Forest, insisting that decisive action could help restore peace across several affected local government areas in Zamfara State.
Nigerian Army Repels Terrorist Attack in Borno
In a separate development, the Nigerian Army confirmed that two soldiers and several Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters were killed during a failed attack on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Magumeri under Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State.
Troops successfully repelled the early morning attack on May 7, 2026, forcing the insurgents to retreat after a fierce gun battle.
The military also recovered a cache of weapons, including PKT anti-aircraft guns and AK-47 rifles, describing the troops’ response as gallant and decisive.
