By Muhammad Mamman
Armed bandits stormed a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in the early hours of Monday, abducting no fewer than 40 worshippers during morning prayers.
The attack came just hours after another assault in Godai village, Bukkuyum LGA, where over 10 residents were kidnapped. Local sources said the Zamfara victims were herded into the forests around the Gohori axis.
The incident has been seen as a major setback for fragile peace deals in the North-West, including one recently signed in Katsina between community leaders and armed groups. Analysts say the latest violence underscores the lack of cohesion among bandit factions, who continue to launch attacks across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna despite dialogue efforts.
In a separate development, gunmen at the weekend abducted Rev Father Wilfred Ezemba, parish priest of St Paul’s Catholic Church, along with several commuters on the Imane–Ogugu road in Kogi State.
Meanwhile, troops under Operation Fasin Yamma (OPFY) carried out a series of operations across Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara, foiling several planned attacks. Soldiers ambushed terrorists in Katsina, engaged them in Kebbi, and repelled assaults in Zamfara, though casualties were recorded among security forces and civilians.
Zamfara Police Command confirmed it had deployed personnel to track the attackers and rescue the abducted worshippers.
