Bandits Kidnap 50 Elders During Peace Meeting in Zamfara

In a shocking turn of events, approximately 50 elders from Magamin Diddi village in Zamfara State, Nigeria, were abducted by bandits while attending a peace meeting intended to facilitate a return to farming.

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The people of the community held a meeting and decided to reconcile with the bandits to allow us to go to our farms this year.

The elders had gathered in the forest to negotiate with the bandits, hoping to secure permission for the community to access their farmlands this year. However, the bandits reportedly rejected the peace accord and proceeded to kidnap all 50 elders present.

Bello Dosara, the Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, confirmed the incident but stated that the community had not informed local authorities about the reconciliation process. He expressed concern, highlighting that both local and state governments are against negotiating with bandits. Governor Dauda Lawal has been particularly vocal in his opposition to such reconciliation efforts.

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But unfortunately, the bandits disagreed with the peace accord and decided to kidnap all 50 elders sent to them.

Dosara questioned the community's decision to meet with aggrieved bandits who might be seeking retaliation, especially after recent incidents where bandits blocked market roads in anger over the killing of their members by security operatives.

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We are against reconciliation with bandits, and we have repeatedly warned our people to desist from such dangerous arrangements.

While 11 of the abducted elders have since been released, 39 remain in captivity, underscoring the volatile security situation and the challenges faced by communities attempting to find peaceful resolutions with armed groups.

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Everybody knows that Governor Dauda Lawal is against reconciliation with bandits.