Less than 24 hours after peace meeting, bandits kidnap over 40 worshippers during morning prayers

Armed bandits have kidnapped more than 40 worshippers during an early morning attack on a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The incident took place around 5:30 am on Monday, when the gunmen surrounded the mosque during dawn prayers and forced the worshippers into nearby forests along the Gohori axis. Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved swiftly, preventing anyone from escaping as they took the congregants at gunpoint.

The abduction occurred less than a day after reports of a peace meeting between community leaders and armed groups in Katsina and neighbouring states, raising further doubts about the effectiveness of such arrangements. Security observers note that while negotiations may bring temporary calm in some areas, attacks remain persistent across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna.

In a separate incident on Sunday, another group of bandits invaded Godai village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara and abducted 12 residents after firing shots to disperse the community. The victims were reportedly taken toward Gyado forest.

The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed receiving a distress call from the divisional police officer in Bukkuyum and said security personnel had been deployed to the affected communities.