Barely 24 hours after reports of peace agreements in parts of the North West, armed bandits have abducted about 40 worshippers during dawn prayers in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack happened around 5:30 a.m. on Monday when gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque, surrounded it, and whisked away the worshippers at gunpoint, eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama.
Local sources revealed that the abducted victims were later moved deep into the forests around the Gohori axis of Tsafe. The incident has left residents gripped by fear, especially as it comes shortly after local leaders and some armed groups in Katsina and neighbouring states reportedly reached ceasefire agreements to reduce violence in the region.
Community members say the attack highlights the fragility of ongoing peace initiatives, stressing that heavily armed groups still operate freely despite dialogue efforts.
“The bandits have no unified command or control. You can negotiate with some groups in Katsina, while others continue to carry out attacks in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna,” a local source said.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities in Zamfara State had not issued an official statement on the incident.
Source: Zagazola Makama
