Bandits in north-west Nigeria abduct villagers they invited to discuss peace talks

Armed bandits in northwest Nigeria abducted dozens of villagers they had invited to a meeting about potential peace negotiations, authorities and residents said, highlighting the region’s worsening security. Police reported that 39 people were seized on Sunday during a meeting in the forest near Magamin Diddi village in the Maradun municipality of Zamfara state. However, some residents and officials believe the number of abductees could be as high as 50.

The victims were reportedly meeting relatives of a bandit leader in the hope of bringing peace and easing restrictions imposed on the community. "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," a police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, stated.

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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.

The chair of the Maradun local government indicated that state authorities do not support reconciliation with bandits. The bandits had recently blocked roads to the community market to protest the killing of their members by security operatives. The chair questioned the community's decision to meet with aggrieved bandits seeking retaliation.

Zamfara is at the center of a long-running security crisis involving mass kidnappings, killings, and village raids by armed groups. The violence has disrupted farming and displaced thousands. Despite authorities warning against it, individual negotiations with kidnappers have occurred to gain access to farmland or secure the release of abductees. Security forces are working to locate the victims, and some individuals were released to convey the kidnappers’ ransom demands. A resident of Magamin Diddi said the group is demanding 125 million naira (£69,000) for the release of those abducted. Police assured residents that every effort is being made to rescue the captives unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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