At least 39 residents of Magamin Diddi in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by armed bandits during a community dialogue held with the parents of a suspected bandit leader, the police have said.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Yazid Abubakar, in a statement on Monday, said the command had begun investigations to rescue the victims.
According to the statement, a report from the Divisional Police Officer of Maradun Division indicated that a letter was submitted by the District Head of Magamin Diddi on Monday, at about 1100hrs, reporting a mass abduction that occurred on June 7, 2026, at about 1500hrs.
It stated that 47 residents of Magamin Diddi mobilised themselves and proceeded to Fadama Forest within the area to meet the parents of a notorious bandit leader, identified as Jimo Smally, in what was described as an attempt at reconciliation and peaceful engagement.
“However, while the meeting was ongoing, the bandit kingpin allegedly arrived at the location with members of his gang and forcefully abducted 39 members of the group to an unknown destination,” the statement said.
The command added that it had launched immediate efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Zamfara State Police Command immediately initiated efforts to trace the whereabouts of the victims and secure their safe rescue. Operational assets have been deployed, and security operatives are working on available intelligence to locate the abducted persons,” it said.
“The command assures members of the public that every effort is being made to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the command said it had neutralised three suspected bandits during a coordinated operation.
According to the statement, following the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers and CSK operational vehicles provided by the Zamfara State Government, security operatives intensified offensive operations targeting forest and remote hideouts used by bandits.
It said that on June 7, 2026, at about 1800hrs, a joint security team comprising operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit, Zamfara State Police Command, and Civil Security Volunteers, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, carried out a coordinated operation in Taza, Wuya, and Gwaram villages within the Jangebe Forest axis of Anka Local Government Area.
“Upon arrival at the targeted locations, the team encountered heavily armed bandits who engaged the operatives with sophisticated weapons. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which the security team successfully overpowered the criminals,” the statement said.
It added that three bandits were neutralised, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot injuries, and one suspect was arrested.
Recovered items included three AK-47 rifles, 23 rounds of live ammunition, three magazines, and 10 motorcycles.
“No casualties were recorded among police operatives or supporting security personnel,” it said.
The command described the operation as the first successful security incursion into that axis of the Jangebe Forest, previously regarded as a stronghold of criminal elements.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against banditry and other crimes in the state.
