Elders Abducted During Peace Mission
Approximately 50 community elders from Magamin Diddi in Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, who were abducted while en route to a peace meeting with bandits, have regained their freedom following the reported payment of about N35 million in ransom. The release was disclosed on Thursday, July 2, by conflict and security journalist Bakatsine via a post on X.
According to local sources cited by Bakatsine, the elders had been held captive for several weeks after being kidnapped in early June 2026. Tragically, three of the abducted elders died while in captivity.
Details of the Kidnapping and Ransom
The victims were travelling to a peace meeting with bandits, hoping to negotiate an end to recurring attacks on their community, when they were taken hostage. Bakatsine quoted local sources stating that the bandits demanded and received a ransom of approximately N35 million before releasing the remaining elders.
In his post, Bakatsine wrote: “UPDATE: The 50 community elders from Magamin Diddi in Maradun LGA, Zamfara State, who were abducted while on a peace meeting with bandits to negotiate, have regained their freedom after a ransom of about ₦35 million was reportedly paid. According to local source, three of the abducted elders died in captivity. The elders had travelled in early June 2026 to seek a negotiated settlement with the bandits before they were taken as hostage.”
Official Silence and Ongoing Concerns
As of the time of this report, neither the Zamfara State Government nor security agencies have issued an official statement confirming the release, the reported ransom payment, or the deaths of the three elders. The incident highlights the persistent security challenges in Zamfara, where banditry and kidnapping for ransom remain prevalent despite government efforts to curb the violence.
