50 Zamfara Elders Regain Freedom After Alleged ₦35m Bandit Ransom Deal

(B@ndit. Photo Credit: Businessday)

Fifty community elders abducted by b@ndits in Zamfara State have regained their freedom after an alleged ransom payment of about N35 million, according to conflict and security journalist Bakatsine.

Bakatsine disclosed in a post on social media on Thursday that the elders, who are from Magamin Diddi community in Maradun Local Government Area, were released after weeks in captivity.

According to the report, three of the abducted elders d!ed while in captivity.

The victims were reportedly k1dn@pped in early June 2026 while on their way to a peace meeting with the b@ndits, where they had hoped to negotiate a settlement aimed at ending att@cks on their community.

Quoting local sources, Bakatsine said the elders were held hostage until the reported ransom was paid.

Authorities in Zamfara State have yet to officially comment on the reported release, the alleged ransom payment, or the d£aths of the three community leaders.

According to the update shared by Bakatsine, the 50 community elders from Magamin Diddi in Maradun LGA, who were abducted while on a peace mission to negotiate with the bandits, have regained their freedom after a ransom of about ₦35 million was reportedly paid.

He said local sources indicated that three of the abducted elders d!ed in captivity, noting that the elders had travelled in early June 2026 to seek a negotiated settlement with the b@ndits before they were taken hostage.