At least 39 people were abducted in northwestern Nigeria after a meeting with the family of a notorious bandit leader turned violent, according to authorities.

The incident took place on Sunday in Magamin Diddi village, located in Zamfara State, a region that has been severely affected by years of bandit attacks and kidnappings.

According to police, a group of 47 villagers traveled to meet the parents of a gang leader known as Jimo Smally. This meeting was described as an effort at reconciliation and peaceful engagement. 

Local media reported that village elders had initiated the gathering after the bandit leader allegedly blockaded a local market.

However, the situation escalated when the gang leader arrived with armed members of his group, according to police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar.

"While the meeting was ongoing, the bandit kingpin allegedly arrived at the location with members of his gang and forcefully abducted thirty-nine members of the group to an unknown destination," Abubakar said in a statement.

The remaining villagers were reportedly unharmed.

Authorities in Zamfara State have distanced themselves from any attempts to negotiate directly with bandit groups. The chairman of Maradun local government, where the incident occurred, stated in local media that the state government does not support reconciliation efforts with criminal gangs.

Security forces have launched an operation to locate and rescue the abducted villagers.

Bandit groups, which primarily operate in northwest Nigeria, have carried out mass kidnappings, village raids, cattle rustling, and attacks on travelers for years. Despite military operations aimed at curbing the violence, many communities continue to face persistent insecurity.