20 Days Of Agony: Zamfara Community Waits As Elders Remain In Bandits’ Captivity

For the families of 37 elderly men from Magami Diddi in Zamfara State, each passing day brings fresh anxiety and fading hope. What began as a desperate quest for peace and access to farmlands has turned into a prolonged nightmare after the elders were seized by gunmen allegedly loyal to a notorious bandit leader. As loved ones wait helplessly for their return and the rainy season gathers momentum, the community remains trapped between fear, grief and uncertainty. NICHOLAS DEKERA reports.

Fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak have enveloped the Magami Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State as families continue to wait anxiously for the return of 37 elderly men who have been in captivity for nearly three weeks after they were abducted by gunmen allegedly loyal to notorious bandit leader, Jammo.

The once-bustling farming community has been thrown into mourning and despair, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the fate of the elders, who had embarked on what they believed was a peace mission to restore access to farmland.

The elders were among a delegation of 50 community leaders who reportedly visited the father of the bandit kingpin on June 7, 2026, in a bid to negotiate peace and secure safe passage for farmers during the planting season.

Instead, the mission ended in tragedy.

According to community sources, 39 of the elders were seized and held hostage, while 11 others were released to convey a staggering ransom demand of N125 million. Days later, one of the captives reportedly escaped while another was killed, leaving 37 elders still in captivity.

As the days drag on, relatives of the victims have remained largely silent, weighed down by grief and uncertainty.

Speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the Secretary of Magami Diddi District, Sanusi Magami Maradun, described the mood in the community as deeply traumatic.

“The entire village is devastated. People are living in fear and confusion. There is no money anywhere, and the ransom being demanded is beyond the reach of ordinary villagers. There may be efforts going on behind the scenes, but families are not talking to anyone,” he said.

“The only time I heard anything directly connected to the captives was when I was approached to contribute money. Unfortunately, I had nothing to offer.”

The Zamfara State Government, however, has distanced itself from the peace mission.

Governor Dauda Lawal, speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, described the elders’ decision to engage with the bandits without official approval as unauthorised and dangerous.

“They did not inform the authorities before taking such a step,” the governor said, expressing displeasure over the development while condemning the actions of the bandits.

The governor also maintained that his administration was not involved in any secret negotiations relating to the captives.

Despite growing concerns within the community, the member representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Salisu Faru, insisted that the government had not abandoned the victims.

He told LEADERSHIP Weekend that Governor Lawal was working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the elders.

“I can confirm that the governor is doing everything possible with security agencies to ensure they are rescued. Governor Dauda Lawal is determined to fight banditry and has consistently maintained that he will not negotiate with bandits. I believe these elders will regain their freedom soon,” Faru said.

However, frustration is mounting among some residents who believe more should be done to secure the release of the captives.

An APC stalwart in the community, who requested anonymity, accused the state government of failing to respond decisively to the crisis.

“How can you say you won’t negotiate when our elders are still in captivity? For weeks, there has been silence. People want to see action. The rainy season is here, but farmers are too afraid to go to their farms because Jammo’s threat hangs over the community,” he lamented.

He added, “What matters most now is saving lives. The elders should be brought home first. Afterwards, the government can decide on its broader strategy. Right now, our people are suffering, and the entire community feels abandoned.”

With the planting season already underway and fear keeping many farmers away from their fields, residents say the fate of the 37 elders has become a painful symbol of the insecurity that continues to haunt many rural communities across Zamfara State.