Bandits lure villagers in Zamfara to peace talks, kidnap 39

Armed bandits abducted 39 residents of a community in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara State after luring them to what was presented as a peace meeting, in the latest sign of deteriorating security in a region plagued by mass kidnappings and armed attacks.

The victims were seized on Sunday in Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area during a meeting intended to explore reconciliation with armed groups operating in the area, according to police and residents.

Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, said 47 residents had gathered for “reconciliation and peace engagement” with relatives of a suspected bandit leader when the armed group’s leader arrived and abducted most of those present.

“The command is making concerted efforts in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators,” Abubakar said in a statement.

Reuters reported that about 30 people were kidnapped during the incident, although local authorities were still working to establish the exact number of victims.

The incident highlights the increasingly desperate measures adopted by communities in northwest Nigeria, where residents frequently negotiate directly with armed groups due to what they perceive as inadequate protection from security forces.

Northwest and central Nigeria have for years been terrorised by heavily armed criminal gangs, commonly referred to locally as bandits, who raid villages, loot property, rustle cattle and abduct people for ransom. The violence has evolved into one of the country’s most persistent security challenges, despite repeated military offensives and peace initiatives.

The latest abduction comes days after gunmen kidnapped seven students from a polytechnic in Zamfara State, underscoring the continuing vulnerability of communities and educational institutions in the region.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has pledged to improve security through enhanced military operations and intelligence gathering. However, recurring attacks have intensified scrutiny of the government’s efforts to contain insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Security analysts say the Zamfara incident exposes the risks associated with informal negotiations between communities and armed groups, even as many residents view such engagements as one of the few available options to prevent further violence.

Police said investigations were ongoing and urged residents to cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to rescue those abducted and track down those responsible.