Zamfara State was thrown into chaos as Bello Turji, a notorious bandit kingpin, orchestrated a brazen attack on a mosque in Birnin Yaro village, abducting an unspecified number of worshippers during the sacred Isha prayers on Friday night.
Eyewitnesses and security sources confirmed that Turji, accompanied by a heavily armed gang, stormed the mosque under the cover of darkness, bringing prayers to a sudden and violent halt. Congregants were forced into submission as the assailants unleashed terror, rounding up worshippers before disappearing into the forest with their captives.
Zagazola Makama, a prominent security analyst specializing in counter-insurgency efforts in the Lake Chad region, described the incident as a calculated move by the infamous warlord.
“Turji and his armed men stormed the mosque, disrupting the congregation and abducting an unspecified number of worshippers,” Makama revealed.
While the exact number of victims remains unclear, experts believe the attack was not random. According to Makama, Turji might be leveraging the abducted worshippers as human shields to deter Nigerian troops engaged in Operation FANSAN YANMMA, a military offensive targeting criminal enclaves in Zamfara and its environs.
“This act of terror could be a strategic ploy to shield himself and his gang from impending military operations. Turji is known for using hostages as bargaining chips,” Makama added.
Bello Turji, whose name sends shivers across Nigeria’s Northwest, has been linked to countless atrocities, including mass kidnappings, violent raids, and extortion schemes that have crippled rural communities. His reign of terror has continued despite repeated military campaigns to neutralize his network.
The attack on the Birnin Yaro mosque underscores the brazen nature of banditry in Zamfara, where armed groups operate with impunity, exploiting the state’s fragile security architecture.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals and Nigerians nationwide, who are demanding swift action from the government to rescue the hostages and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“How long will innocent citizens suffer at the hands of criminals while the government struggles to ensure our safety?” a Zamfara resident lamented during a phone interview.
The rising wave of insecurity in Zamfara and other Northwestern states has placed immense pressure on Nigeria’s military and security agencies. Despite several offensives, notorious figures like Turji continue to exploit weak intelligence networks, porous borders, and inadequate manpower to sustain their operations.
The federal government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack, but there are growing calls for an overhaul of the country’s security strategy to dismantle bandit networks and restore peace to affected regions.
Experts are advocating for a multi-faceted approach to tackle the menace of banditry, including:
Strengthening local intelligence gathering to preempt attacks.
Deploying advanced surveillance technology to monitor and disrupt criminal hideouts.
Engaging local communities to foster cooperation with security forces.
Launching targeted military offensives to dismantle high-profile criminal syndicates.
The attack on the Birnin Yaro mosque is a grim reminder of the unchecked violence plaguing Nigeria’s Northwest. As families await news of their loved ones, the nation watches closely, hoping for decisive action to end the terror that has gripped the region.
The Nigerian government must act swiftly, not only to rescue the abducted worshippers but also to reaffirm its commitment to the safety and security of its citizens. Without this, the cycle of violence and fear will persist, leaving communities at the mercy of criminal overlords like Bello Turji.
PIONEER NEWS 