In a widely shared video, more than 150 citizens of Zamfara State who were kidnapped by armed bandits begged the state administration to hold peace negotiations with their captors.
Ibrahim Musa (@Ibrahim.Musa99), a well-known bandit commander, posted the video on TikTok. It featured men, women, and kids from the communities of Cogon Daji, Danabuce, Kuliya, Bayawa, Magulu, and Gidan Garduwa.
One of the victims, speaking in Hausa, spoke of the appalling conditions in the jungle hideout where they have been detained for weeks.

“We are people from Cogon Daji, Danabuce, Kuliya, Bayawa, Magulu, Gidan Garduwa, and other areas in Zamfara State,” the kidnaped person bemoaned. We’ve spent weeks here. While we are starving to death here, our leaders are traveling the world with their families.

“Please take into account our predicament and engage in communication with our kidnappers, Zamfara State Government. We’re in pain. We’re going hungry. Furthermore, we are also people.

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The abductee disclosed that the bandits holding them have stated their willingness to engage in peace negotiations but have accused authorities of disregarding their requests, in what seems to be a deliberate message from the gunmen.

The victim stated: “We would like to inform the Zamfara State Government that the primary cause of this insecurity is a lack of communication between the government and these militants.

The bandits claim that the government despises them, treating them as though they are ignorant and without rights. However, they claim to be prepared for discussion. There are more than 150 of us in our camp alone. There are more than 200 in other camps. Some cannot be numbered.