Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has firmly ruled out any form of negotiation with bandits, even as 50 elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area remain in captivity after a peace mission ended in betrayal. The victims, who voluntarily sought a dialogue with a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Jammo, were taken hostage when their peace overtures were rejected, an incident that has intensified debate over the state’s security strategy.
The elders, all from Magamin Diddi village in the Magami/Faru ward of Maradun LGA, had embarked on the mission to secure an agreement that would allow villagers to return to their farms without fear of attacks or abduction ahead of the farming season, according to multiple reports. The community had organised a voluntary mission to meet Jammo, who controls parts of the Muntsira Forest axis, in hopes of securing a peace accord that would allow locals to safely cultivate their farms. However, the bandits rejected the peace overtures and instead detained all 50 delegates. The bandit kingpin reportedly released 11 of the abducted elders but held the remaining 39 captive, using them to communicate demands, including a ransom of N24 million for three rifles allegedly seized from his group by security operatives.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Lawal strongly condemned the elders’ move, describing the trip as unauthorised and dangerous. “They did not inform the authority before embarking on such a dangerous step they have taken,” the governor said. He made it clear that his administration had no involvement in the peace mission and insisted the state government would not support direct talks with criminal groups. “They are on their own,” he added. Lawal questioned why individuals would take such a sensitive decision without government approval, reiterating his administration’s long-standing policy against negotiating with bandits. “As I said, who sent them to negotiate? It certainly was not the government. We have consistently stated that we do not support negotiations with terrorists,” he stated.
The governor maintained that Zamfara has learned painful lessons from past reconciliation efforts, noting that previous administrations explored peace deals with bandits without lasting success. “From the outset, my position has been clear: I will not negotiate with terrorists. That remains my position today,” he said. Lawal argued that negotiation often gives armed groups room to regroup, expand operations and acquire more weapons.
The Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Bello Dosara, who confirmed the incident, stressed that the elders met with the bandit kingpin without the approval of the local government or the state government. “We are against reconciliation with bandits, and Governor Dauda Lawal has never supported such arrangements. Unfortunately, the community members decided to proceed with the meeting without informing the authorities,” he said. Dosara disclosed that the local government had been providing weekly security escorts to enable residents to access markets and carry out essential activities safely, expressing surprise that the villagers chose to engage directly with the same group that had restricted their access.
The councillor representing Magami/Faru ward, Bello Husseini, noted that the bandit kingpin Jammo had initially sought reconciliation after one of his associates was killed during a military operation in Kandare village. Community leaders agreed to the proposal despite the government’s opposition and constituted a 50-member delegation to meet the bandit leader. “On arrival, Jammo betrayed them. Instead of holding peace talks, he abducted them and later released only 11 of them,” the councillor said. He further disclosed that Jammo was demanding N24 million in exchange for three rifles allegedly seized from his group.
The abduction has sparked mixed reactions across Zamfara, with many residents questioning both the worsening insecurity and the safety of communities forced to explore self-help measures. Some residents argue that refusing dialogue has prolonged suffering in many rural communities, where farmers continue to face attacks, extortion and forced levies imposed by bandits. In several affected communities, locals have reportedly resorted to private arrangements with armed groups just to gain access to their farms, often involving payment of heavy taxes or levies to bandits in exchange for temporary protection.
A resident of Gusau, Usman Alkali, said many villages have suffered severe consequences as insecurity persists. According to him, repeated attacks have displaced hundreds of families and crippled farming activities across multiple communities. “As a result of Governor Lawal’s stance, hundreds of families have been displaced,” he said.
The governor, however, linked the relative improvement in security to increased agricultural activity in some parts of the state, stating that farming output improved significantly last year due to better security conditions in several communities. He maintained that intensified military pressure has weakened several criminal groups, though some attacks still occur as bandits move into vulnerable areas. “If you look at agricultural production in Zamfara last year, it was unprecedented in recent times, and that was made possible by the relative improvement in security. Anyone who claims they can eliminate terrorism overnight is not being truthful, and that was never our promise. We promised to prioritise security, and we have done so,” Lawal said.
The councillor and chairman have appealed to the state and federal governments to intensify military operations in the area, arguing that dismantling bandit camps in Dajin Natsira Forest would significantly improve security across several local government areas. They specifically urged Governor Lawal and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to intervene and secure the release of those still in captivity.
As the 39 elders remain in captivity, the incident has deepened the divide over the best approach to tackling banditry in Zamfara. For the families of the abducted elders, the governor’s words have left them with little comfort: they are on their own.
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