Bandit groups abducted more than fifty residents in separate attacks across Zamfara State on Monday, shaking local communities and raising questions about the effectiveness of a recently announced peace deal in the North West.
In the early hours of Monday, gunmen stormed a mosque in Gidan Turbe, Tsafe Local Government Area, seizing around forty worshippers during morning prayers.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived around 5:30 a.m., surrounded the mosque, and forced the worshippers away at gunpoint.
The captives were reportedly taken into the dense forests around the Gohori axis in Tsafe, leaving the village in fear and shock.
Villagers described the abduction as sudden and terrifying, with families still struggling to comprehend the scale of the attack.
Barely a day earlier, residents in neighbouring Katsina had engaged in peace talks with armed groups.
However, Monday’s abduction has cast doubt on the efficacy of these negotiations, with analysts describing the latest violence as evidence of continued unrest and bandit faction disunity.
A source speaking to counter-insurgency outlet Zagazola Makama explained that while some bandit groups may agree to dialogue, others remain committed to indiscriminate attacks in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.
The violence continued on Sunday, when attackers raided Godai village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
Villagers said gunmen fired into the air to scatter residents before abducting twelve people and whisking them away toward the Gyado forest.
Authorities confirmed the incidents. The Zamfara Police said they received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer in Bukkuyum and immediately dispatched operatives to the scene.
While security forces are reportedly investigating, residents remain on high alert, fearing further attacks.
The spate of abductions underscores the challenges facing government efforts to enforce peace in the region.
Analysts warn that unless security operations are reinforced and dialogue is coupled with decisive action, communities will continue to bear the brunt of bandit violence.
With fear gripping towns and villages, families now await updates on the abducted victims, while security agencies scramble to contain the escalating crisis across Zamfara State.
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