In a stark illustration of the perils of negotiating with Nigeria’s armed bandits, fifty elderly residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area were abducted while attempting an unauthorised peace mission to a notorious forest stronghold.
The victims were seized by Jammo, a feared bandit leader who controls the Muntsira Forest also known as Dajin Natsira axis. Local authorities have confirmed that 11 of the hostages have since been released, reportedly to deliver the bandit’s demands while 39 others remain in captivity.
Hon. Bello Dosara, Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, expressed deep frustration over the incident. “We are against reconciliation with the bandits and Governor Dauda Lawal never supported that,” he said, “but unknown to us the people chose to go on with it.”
Despite repeated warnings, the delegation proceeded without government approval. The communities had long suffered severe movement restrictions imposed by Jammo’s group, including blocked access to local markets. Dosara noted that his administration had consistently provided weekly security escorts to allow residents to reach markets safely, making the decision to engage the bandits directly even more perplexing.
The abduction follows a familiar cycle of violence in the region. According to Bello Husseini, the Councilor representing Magami/Faru Ward, tensions escalated after an encounter between Jammo’s men and the Zamfara State security outfit known as the Askarawa. The security forces killed two of the bandit leader’s lieutenants and seized their rifles. In reprisal during the last fasting period, the bandits killed two Askarawa personnel and took their weapons.
Husseini explained that Jammo had recently sought reconciliation after one of his fighters was killed in a military operation at Kandare village. The community, acting independently, assembled a 50-man delegation of mostly elderly men to meet him. Upon arrival, they were betrayed and taken hostage.
“Jammo is currently demanding ₦24 million for the three seized rifles,” Husseini revealed. He strongly condemned any further negotiation, describing the bandits as inherently untrustworthy. “They can speak one true statement against a hundred lies,” he said. “The people he held hostage were elderly and he had no reason to hold them hostage; he betrayed them by saying he is tired of banditry and opted for reconciliation.”
Both Dosara and Husseini have urged the Federal Government and security agencies to launch a decisive military offensive against the Dajin Natsira forest, a long-standing sanctuary for armed groups that has largely evaded major operations.
“If the government wants to help these people, one patrol five kilometres away from the village will yield a very good positive result,” they said.
They emphasised that successfully clearing the forest would bring relief to at least six local government areas, including Talata Mafara, Bakura, Anka, Gummi, Bukkuyum, and others.
The bandit leader Jammo is said to dominate the Dajin Natsira axis, with subordinate commanders controlling smaller enclaves such as Bayan Ruwa, Kwargwaro, Aljumma Fulani, Gidan Dawa, and Kyetare.
Local leaders are now calling on Governor Dauda Lawal and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to intervene urgently with decisive force.
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