39 Citizens Abducted in Zamfara Amid Peace Talk Betrayal

On June 7, 2026, at least 39 citizens were abducted by notorious bandit syndicates in Zamfara State, Nigeria, following a betrayal during a peace talk. The incident took place in a forest near Magamin Diddi village within the Maradun municipality.

Local community members had gathered to negotiate a peace accord with a prominent bandit leader to ensure safe passage for farmers. However, the meeting was ambushed by heavily armed gang members, leading to the abduction of the victims.

Yazid Abubakar, a spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that tactical teams were deployed to trace the abductors. The local community leaders expressed concerns that the actual number of missing persons could be as high as 50.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern of mass kidnappings in the region, with previous incidents reported in December 2024, August 2025, and September 2025. Security experts warn that such betrayals undermine community-led peace initiatives and contribute to ongoing violence.