Peace Deal Shattered as Bandits Abduct 40 Worshippers in Zamfara Mosque Attack
A fragile peace deal in Zamfara State collapsed on Monday when armed bandits abducted about 40 worshippers from a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area during dawn prayers.
What happened
At around , heavily armed men reportedly surrounded the mosque and forced worshippers at gunpoint into nearby vehicles before moving them toward the Gohori forest axis in Tsafe.
Context
The abduction comes hours after reports of a peace truce in parts of the state, a development that residents say has now been undermined. The attack has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing negotiations between authorities and armed groups in the region.
Local reaction
Panic spread through surrounding communities after news of the abduction. Families of those taken have gathered at local centres, awaiting updates and possible demands from the captors.
Security response
At the time of publication, security agencies had not issued an official statement confirming the number of abductees. Local sources say the victims were moved toward forested areas, complicating rescue efforts.