Armed bandits abducted at least 39 village elders from Magamin Diddi during a self-initiated peace meeting in Zamfara State’s Fadama Forest.
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The community leaders had traveled to the forest to negotiate better living conditions and market access with the parents of a notorious bandit leader known as Smally.
The peace talks took a drastic turn when Smally and his gang arrived at the meeting location, capturing dozens of the participants and taking them to an undisclosed location.
Maradun Local Government Chairman Bello Dosara confirmed the incident, noting that the villagers conducted the mission independently and without official authorization, as both local and state governments strictly oppose negotiating with armed groups.
While the bandits have released a few captives to deliver messages back to the community, the remaining victims remain in captivity as local officials assess the situation.
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