Bandits have abducted 43 worshippers from a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and 12 persons from Godai village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area. The attacks occurred despite a recent peace deal between community leaders and armed groups in neighboring Katsina State. Security experts emphasize that state governments in the North West must collaborate to effectively address insecurity in the region.

The Zamfara mosque attack happened around 5:30 am during prayer, with gunmen surrounding the mosque and whisking away the worshippers towards Gahori Mountain. Locals allege that the mountain is an enclave of various bandit groups operating across Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states. Residents of Gidan Turbe and Tsafe report that the attack has left their communities in confusion and despair, with renewed banditry attacks in recent days.

A resident of Gidan Turbe, Habibu Dogo, described the attack, saying the bandits silently surrounded the mosque and waited for the worshippers to finish prayers before abducting them. Another resident, Auwal Isa, noted that the community has been witnessing persistent banditry attacks, with several communities under constant attack. He added that even communities that had agreements with bandits are not being spared, as the bandits will enter an agreement, collect money, and later attack on the slightest provocation.

Community leaders and security experts have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the peace deal, with one expert stating that the deal has not yielded positive results. The expert emphasized the need for strong synergy between the federal and state governments to combat banditry. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has restated his administration’s stance against negotiating with bandits, while a security expert has called for improved welfare for foot soldiers fighting against bandits and the provision of superior weapons to defeat the bandits.

The recent attacks in Tsafe are not isolated incidents, as the area has suffered multiple attacks in recent months. In April, suspected loyalists of notorious bandits’ leader Adamu Aliero stormed Biyabiki village, burning a mosque, a primary healthcare center, and 10 houses. The attacks have left residents in a state of distress, with many calling for increased security presence and effective collaboration between the federal and state governments to address the insecurity in the region.