Bandits abduct 50 elders during peace meeting in Zamfara State
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Fifty elders from Magamin Diddi village in Zamfara State were abducted by bandits during a peace meeting. The elders, from the Magami/Faru Ward of Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly taken captive on Sunday after being delegated to meet with the bandits in the forest for dialogue. A local resident, Musa Sani, stated that the community sought reconciliation to allow residents to return to their farms, but the bandits instead kidnapped the elders. The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident on Monday, noting that the community did not inform authorities about the reconciliation effort. Dosara expressed concern, emphasizing that both local and state governments oppose reconciliation with bandits, citing Governor Dauda Lawal's stance. He also mentioned that bandits had recently blocked roads to the community market due to the killing of their members by security operatives. Dosara questioned the community's decision to meet with the bandits, who he suggested were seeking retaliation. He confirmed that 11 of the abducted elders have since been released, while 39 remain in captivity.
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