THE elderly residents from Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area were abducted earlier in June after embarking on what sources described as a voluntary peace mission to the camp of a notorious bandit kingpin, Jammo, who reportedly controls the Muntsira Forest axis.
News Point Nigeria reports that according to findings, the elders had organised the visit in an attempt to dialogue with the bandit leader and secure a peace accord that would enable residents return safely to their farms during the ongoing agricultural season.
However, rather than accepting the peace overture, the bandits reportedly seized all 50 delegates and have continued to hold them captive.
The development has generated widespread anger and concern across Zamfara State, with many residents criticising both the audacity of the bandits and what they described as the government’s slow response to the crisis. The continued detention of the elders has also intensified discussions over the worsening security situation in the state.
Governor Dauda Lawal, however, has distanced his administration from the initiative, describing the mission as illegal and unauthorised.
While disclosing that the government was thoroughly investigating the matter, the governor criticised the elders for embarking on negotiations with bandits without informing the authorities.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, Lawal expressed displeasure over the development and questioned why anyone would take such a step without government approval.
“They did not inform the authority before embarking on such dangerous step they have taken,” the governor said, adding that, “They are on their own.”
Although Lawal condemned the actions of the bandits, he reiterated that his administration has never supported negotiations with terrorists and has no intention of changing that position.
The governor said he was aware of the incident but questioned the rationale behind the mission.
“As I said, who sent them to negotiate? It certainly was not the government. We have consistently stated that we do not support negotiations with terrorists,” he said.
“I heard the reports, but I do not even know who those individuals are,” he added.
Lawal further disclosed that the state government was investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, insisting that it was wrong for individuals or groups to pursue negotiations when the government had clearly rejected such an approach.
The governor also used the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to combating banditry through sustained security operations rather than dialogue.
According to him, his government remains determined to continue fighting bandits until they surrender instead of inviting them to the negotiating table.
News Point Nigeria reports that Lawal has repeatedly maintained that negotiations have failed to end banditry in the past and would not offer a lasting solution to the crisis.
He argued that previous administrations in Zamfara adopted reconciliation and dialogue initiatives with armed groups, yet insecurity persisted.
The governor has consistently maintained at different fora that negotiations only empower criminal groups by giving them resources and opportunities to acquire more weapons rather than abandon their activities.
However, several security observers and residents hold a different view.
Many have argued that the government’s refusal to engage the bandits has contributed to the destruction of property worth billions of naira and the continued loss of lives, as armed groups intensify attacks to pressure authorities into negotiations.
Some residents contend that the governor’s position has emboldened bandits, who continue to target prominent individuals and communities in an effort to force the government to reconsider its stance.
“As a result of Governor Lawal’s stance, hundreds of villages were sacked in the state, while farming activities have totally grounded, as the bandits are bent on pressuring the government to negotiate with them,” said a Gusau resident, Usman Alkali.
Further findings showed that many communities, exhausted by years of killings, kidnappings and attacks, have independently sought peace arrangements with bandits without the approval of the state government, while others are reportedly considering similar measures.
The development has led to situations where several communities now pay various forms of levies and taxes to bandits in exchange for permission to access their farmlands.
Despite these local initiatives, Governor Lawal has insisted that his administration’s position remains unchanged.
“From the outset, my position has been clear: I will not negotiate with terrorists. That remains my position today,” the governor said.
“I do not see why anyone would take it upon themselves to negotiate with criminals. That is not my policy, nor will it ever be.”
Lawal maintained that the security strategies adopted by his administration were yielding results in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“Very much so. I am not saying we have achieved 100 percent success, but there has been progress,” he said.
“As governor, my responsibility is to protect lives and property.”
The governor further argued that improvements in security had positively impacted economic activities, particularly agriculture, which remains the primary source of livelihood for many residents.
“If you look at agricultural production in Zamfara last year, it was unprecedented in recent times, and that was made possible by the relative improvement in security,” he stated.
Lawal also stressed that terrorism was not a challenge unique to Zamfara, noting that insecurity affects many parts of Nigeria and beyond.
“Terrorism is not unique to Zamfara; it is a challenge in many places. But speaking specifically about Zamfara, I can assure you that the measures we have taken have significantly reduced attacks,” he said.
He explained that ongoing military and security operations had increased pressure on criminal groups, forcing them to relocate and strike locations they considered vulnerable.
“At the same time, some attacks will still occur because we have intensified pressure on these criminals. They move to areas they believe are vulnerable,” the governor added.
Expressing optimism, Lawal said he believes Zamfara would eventually overcome the challenge.
Meanwhile, investigations revealed that public opinion in the state remains sharply divided over the governor’s approach.
While some residents support his refusal to negotiate with bandits, others insist that dialogue remains the only realistic path to lasting peace.
A large-scale farmer, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, backed the governor’s position, saying he had abandoned farming due to insecurity.
“To me, the issue of negotiating with bandits should be avoided by the government because they are not sincere,” he said.
On the other hand, a businessman, Alhaji Mustafa Ibrahim, appealed to the governor to consider negotiations as a means of ending the bloodshed and restoring peace.
“We are tired of these atrocities and we want the government to negotiate with them so that peace will return to the state,” he said.
“The Kaduna State government has negotiated with the bandits and we have started seeing the result.”