39 Civilians Abducted Amid Peace Negotiations in Nigeria’s Northeast

ABUJA, Nigeria — Gunmen abducted 39 individuals during peace talks with a bandit leader’s family, according to police authorities.

Approximately 47 residents were present for reconciliation discussions with the suspected kidnappee’s relatives when the perpetrators seized most of them, police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed in a statement.

The incident took place on Sunday in the Magamin Diddi community within Maradun district, Zamfara State, northeastern Nigeria.

Local populations in northern Nigeria frequently pursue negotiations with armed factions due to perceived lack of military protection against recurrent assaults.

Nigeria confronts a severe security crisis in its northern regions, exacerbated by a prolonged insurgency and criminal groups engaged in kidnappings for ransom and unlawful mineral extraction.

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