The litany of abductions in the North West, especially Zamfara, has become a source of concern as bandits impose humongous levies on markets and farmlands. In this report, NICHOLAS DEKERA x-rays the circumstances surrounding the failed elders’ peace accord and the abduction of elders, which led to the death of one of the victims.
Banditry in Zamfara has evolved beyond isolated attacks into a structured system of control marked by forced taxation, abductions, and imposed agreements on vulnerable communities.
What was meant to be a peace overture by community elders instead exposed the deep risks of engaging armed groups whose promises of dialogue are often shadowed by violence. The failed encounter underscores the fragile balance between survival and negotiation in a region where trust is scarce and security remains elusive.
Bandits under the leadership of notorious bandit kingpin Jammo, on June 7, 2026, abducted 39 elders during what was meant to be a peace meeting.
The elders were reportedly en route to meet Jammo’s father for a peace accord aimed at reducing hostilities and securing safer passage for communities. However, the delegation was ambushed and abducted along the way, turning what was intended as a reconciliation effort into another tragic episode in the region’s cycle of violence
Community sources revealed to LEADERSHIP Sunday that trouble started when a formation of the Zamfara State Security Force, Askarawa, intercepted men believed to be bandits loyal to notorious kingpin Jammo. After a prolonged gun battle, two of Jammo’s men were neutralised and two AK-47 rifles were recovered by the Zamfara State Security Force, Askarawa.
Multiple sources, however, confirmed to our correspondent , that days later, the bandit kingpin Jammo, and his men ambushed the Askarawa Security Force in a counterattack, killing two Askarawa operatives and taking away their two AK-47 rifles.
Ordinarily, one would have thought that that’s one–one and the matter should be settled,” one of them stated.
Residents of Magami Diddi maintained that, days later, Jammo shut down the market and farming activities, imposing heavy taxes of N25 million. However, as the rainy season began, they disclosed that the elders met with Jammo’s parents at Fadama to seek peace so that farming activities could resume. The proceedings of the meeting , according to them , went on smoothly on the first day, but the elders were asked to leave and return after two days. On their second visit, the elders fell into an ambush.
Speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP Sunday, the chairman of Maradun local government, Hon. Bello Dosara, said the elders met with the bandit kingpin without government approval.
Dosara said, “I am the chief security officer for Maradun; they should have contacted me at least. Nobody informed me because they know the leadership of Zamfara State, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, has openly barred negotiations with bandits. I have confirmed just a few seconds before your call came in that 11 elders were released, while 39 remain. The incident happened on June 7 at about 3pm.”
He released the 12 to just brief the people on the unfortunate incident,”
” Dosara added.
Confirming the incident Police public relations officer, Zamfara State Command , DSP Yazid Abubakar said ,” police has commenced efforts to rescue thirty-nine (39) persons allegedly abducted by armed bandits in the Magamin Diddi area of Maradun local government area.
He revealed that a report received from the divisional police officer, Maradun division, indicated that on June 8, 2026, at about 1100hrs, a letter was submitted by the district head of Magamin Diddi reporting a mass abduction incident that occurred on June 7, 2026, at about 1500hrs.
According to the report, a group of 47 residents of Magamin Diddi mobilised themselves and proceeded to the Fadama forest within the Magamin Diddi axis to meet the parents of a notorious bandit leader identified as Jimo Smally, in an apparent effort to reconcile and engage in peaceful dialogue.
However, while the meeting was ongoing, the bandit kingpin allegedly arrived at the location with members of his gang and forcefully abducted 39 members of the group to an unknown destination.
Upon receipt of the report, the Zamfara State Police Command immediately initiated efforts to trace the whereabouts of the victims and secure their safe rescue. Operational assets were deployed, and security operatives worked on available intelligence to locate the abducted persons.
Barely 72 hours after the abduction of the elders of Magamin Diddi, LEADERSHIP Sunday exclusively obtained, from the District secretary of Magamin Diddi, Sanusi Magami Maradun, the names of the abducted elders.
Meanwhile Magami revealed that the identity of the other 5 elders are not clear as contact within the community is ongoing.
