Key points

• Bandits abducted 40 worshippers during prayers in Zamfara.

• The attack highlights collapse of fragile peace agreements.

• Catholic priest kidnapped in separate Kogi State incident.

Armed bandits abducted at least 40 worshippers on Monday during dawn prayers at a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the mosque around 5:30 a.m., surrounded the building and forced the victims into nearby forests at gunpoint.

The incident came hours after another raid in Godai village, Bukkuyum LGA, where 12 people were also kidnapped.

Local sources said the Zamfara victims were moved into the Gohori forest, a notorious hideout for armed groups.

Collapse of fragile peace efforts

Community leaders said the attack shows peace deals signed recently in Katsina and Zamfara with bandits are failing.

On August 28, leaders in Kurfi LGA of Katsina signed an agreement with armed groups, hoping to end years of killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling.

However, security experts warned that the bandits lack central command, making it impossible to enforce peace across the North-West.

“They strike in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna, even when talks are ongoing in Katsina,” a source told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency analyst.

Security forces launch operations

Troops of Operation Fasin Yamma have launched operations across Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi to curb the violence.

In Katsina, soldiers ambushed armed groups near Gatakawa village, recovering motorcycles and phones.

In Kebbi, troops engaged gunmen in Ungushi village, forcing them to retreat, though one civilian was injured.

The Zamfara State Police Command said officers were deployed immediately after receiving distress calls.

Spokesman Yazid Abubakar said police are trailing the abductors and working with the military to rescue victims.

Catholic priest kidnapped in Kogi

Meanwhile in Kogi State, gunmen abducted Rev. Fr. Wilfred Ezemba, parish priest of St.

Paul’s Catholic Church in Agaliga, along with some commuters on the Imane-Ogugu road. Three days after his abduction, no ransom demand has been made.

Local priests say the church remains hopeful of his safe return. Security agencies, including Kogi East Neighborhood Watch, are combing nearby forests.

The kidnapping marks the second incident in one week in the area. Days earlier, lawyer A.B. Shaibu was kidnapped between Etieke and Okugoh and later released after a ransom was paid.