KEY POINTS

• 47 residents visited bandit camp for peace talks in Fadama Forest
• Bandit leader arrived and abducted 39 participants during meeting
• Police launch rescue operation and deploy intelligence teams

Thirty-nine residents of Magamin Diddi in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted after a peace-seeking visit to a bandit camp in Fadama Forest turned into a mass kidnapping incident.

The victims were reportedly among a group of community members who had gone to the forest on Sunday for what was described as a reconciliation meeting with the parents of a known bandit leader.

According to the Zamfara State Police Command, the meeting involved about 47 residents who voluntarily travelled to the Fadama Forest area within the Magamin Diddi axis.

The group was said to have gone in an attempt to engage the family of a notorious bandit leader identified as Jimo Smally, in what they hoped would be a peaceful dialogue and reconciliation effort.

However, during the course of the meeting, the situation took a violent turn when the bandit leader reportedly arrived at the scene with members of his gang.

Police said the armed group forcefully abducted 39 of the participants and took them to an unknown location.

Police Confirm Abduction

The spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the district head of Magamin Diddi reported the case to authorities.

He explained that the command received the report at about 3pm on Sunday and immediately activated response measures.

According to him, the police launched a coordinated operation aimed at tracking the victims and ensuring their safe rescue.

The police said operational assets and tactical units have been deployed to the area, while intelligence gathering efforts are ongoing to locate the abducted residents.

Security agencies are reportedly combing surrounding forest areas believed to be used as hideouts by armed groups operating in the region.

The command assured residents that every effort is being made to rescue the victims unharmed and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.

The incident highlights the continued insecurity in parts of Zamfara State, where communities have increasingly resorted to self-initiated peace engagements with armed groups.

However, this latest abduction has raised further concerns over the risks associated with such informal reconciliation attempts in volatile areas.

Authorities have urged residents to avoid direct engagement with armed groups and instead rely on established security channels for conflict resolution.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing as rescue efforts intensify.