Fifty community elders abducted by bandits in Zamfara State have reportedly regained their freedom following the payment of an alleged ₦35 million ransom.
The development was disclosed by conflict and security journalist Bakatsine in a post shared on X on Thursday.
According to the report, the elders, who are from Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area, had spent several weeks in captivity before being released.
It was also reported that three of the abducted elders lost their lives while in captivity.
The victims were said to have been kidnapped in early June 2026 while travelling to a peace meeting with the bandits, where they intended to negotiate a truce to stop attacks on their community.
Local sources claimed the elders remained in captivity until the reported ransom was paid.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Zamfara State are yet to issue an official statement regarding the release, the alleged ransom payment, or the reported deaths of the three community leaders.
Communities in parts of Zamfara State have continued to face persistent attacks, kidnappings, and violent raids by armed bandits despite repeated peace efforts aimed at restoring security in the region.
In a bid to find lasting solutions to the violence, local leaders and community elders have at different times engaged in dialogue and negotiation with bandit groups to seek peace and prevent further bloodshed.
However, such peace initiatives have often been met with setbacks, highlighting the deep insecurity and fragile trust between affected communities and the armed groups.
The latest incident involving elders from Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area has once again drawn attention to the risks communities face, even while pursuing peaceful resolutions to the ongoing crisis.
