Bandits abduct villagers invited to peace talks in Nigeria

The victims were reportedly meeting relatives of a bandit leader in an effort to foster peace and ease community restrictions. However, the bandit leader allegedly arrived with his gang and forcibly abducted the attendees.

The chair of the Maradun local government indicated that state authorities do not support reconciliation with bandits. He noted that the bandits had recently blocked roads to the community market in anger over persistent killings of their members by security operatives, questioning the community's decision to meet with the aggrieved group.

Zamfara state is experiencing a prolonged security crisis marked by mass kidnappings, killings, and village raids by armed groups, which have disrupted farming and displaced thousands. Despite official warnings, individual negotiations with kidnappers have occurred.

Security forces have deployed personnel and intelligence assets to locate the victims. Local reports indicate that some individuals were released to convey the kidnappers' ransom demands, which amount to 125 million naira (£69,000). Police assured that all efforts are being made to rescue the captives unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.