No fewer than 40 worshippers were abducted during dawn prayers on Monday in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, barely 24 hours after reports emerged of peace deals in parts of the North West.
According to local accounts, the gunmen stormed the mosque at about 5:30 a.m. while prayers were ongoing.
According to Zagazola Makama, a Counter-terrorism expert on the Lake Chad, bandits surrounded the worshippers at gunpoint, forcing dozens of them out of the mosque before marching them into the nearby forest.
The victims were reportedly moved towards the Gohori axis in Tsafe, a notorious hideout for criminal groups.
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Residents described the incident as shocking and devastating, noting that it has plunged the rural community into fear and uncertainty.
The attack also comes at a delicate moment, following reports of peace accords between local leaders and some armed groups in Katsina and neighbouring states, which had raised hopes of reduced violence in the region.
Makama reported that the latest assault underscores the fragility of such peace efforts.
“Community members expressed concern that the lack of unified command among the various armed groups undermines ongoing negotiations”, the report said.
“The bandits have no command, structure or control. You can negotiate with bandits in Katsina, while they continue to strike in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna,” one local source told Makama
