Armed men in the early hours of Monday attacked a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and abducted about 40 worshippers during morning prayers.
The assailants surrounded the mosque at around 5:30 am and forced the victims into the nearby forests around the Gohori axis.
The attack came only a few hours after another incident in Godai village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state, where more than ten people were taken away by the same criminal groups. Residents fear the development shows that recent peace talks with armed groups in the North-West are failing, as the attacks continue despite previous agreements reached between some communities and the bandits in Katsina and Zamfara States.
Security sources reported that the abductions are part of renewed violence in the region, where heavily armed gangs still operate freely despite ongoing military patrols. Troops under Operation Fasin Yamma have been carrying out operations in Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara, destroying camps, recovering weapons, and foiling planned attacks. In one encounter at Kankara, Katsina State, soldiers ambushed gunmen and recovered a motorcycle and mobile phone. Another operation in Danmusa led to clashes with armed groups, leaving one civil defence officer dead. In Kebbi State, security forces also repelled attacks in Ungushi and Tunga Dade, though some civilians sustained injuries.
In Zamfara, troops on patrol at Mararaba Kyeware were ambushed on their way back, but they managed to fight through, with two soldiers sustaining injuries. They were taken to hospital and later moved to a military medical facility for treatment.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Kogi State, gunmen kidnapped the parish priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Agaliga, Reverend Father Wilfred Ezemba. The priest was abducted along with several commuters along the Imane-Ogugu road. Local residents said the attackers blocked the road and took the captives into surrounding forests. Since the incident, the kidnappers have not made any contact with the church or families of the victims.
Security agencies in Kogi, including local vigilantes, police, and soldiers, are reported to be searching the forests for the abductors. This is the second kidnapping case in the area within one week, as a lawyer was abducted earlier and released after his family reportedly paid ransom.
Both Zamfara and Kogi incidents have increased tension across the affected communities, with residents calling for stronger action to end the growing wave of kidnappings in the country.