The unrelenting wave of terror in the North West deepened on Monday as armed terrorists stormed a mosque in Gidan Turbe, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting eight worshippers in the middle of morning prayers.
The Zamfara State Police Command, while confirming the attack, clarified reports circulating in the media that 40 people were kidnapped, insisting that the actual figure was eight.
Those whisked away were identified as Liman Yahaya, Dan Garfi, Malam Damu, Bello Natsuhuwa, Yakubu Isa, Audu Minista, Yaquba Ado, and Sabi Usman.
Police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, in a statement on Tuesday, said the assailants struck at exactly 05:07 am, invading the prayer ground and carting off the victims.
> “Contrary to reports suggesting that 40 persons were abducted, eight worshippers were kidnapped during the dawn attack in Gidan Turbe. The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, is working tirelessly to secure their release,” Abubakar stated.
He appealed to journalists and the public to rely on verified information to avoid creating unnecessary panic and assured residents of continued efforts to safeguard lives and property across Zamfara.
Allero’s Ruthless Onslaught: Traditional Ruler Slaughtered
The attack came barely hours after notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Allero, escalated his reign of terror in Tsafe LGA. Reports indicate that his fighters stormed Keta village around 4 pm on Monday, slaughtering the Hakimi of Dogon Dawa, the community’s traditional ruler, before abducting over 40 villagers from a mosque.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, in a post on X, described the incident as “brutal and unprovoked,” warning that Allero’s gang has ramped up attacks in recent days.
The bandits, according to him, killed four farmers in Barikin Daji and Ruwan Gizo communities of Zamfara, and gunned down two Nigeria Customs Service officers in Fingilla village, Dandi LGA of Kebbi State.
Peace Talks Amid Bloodshed
Even as a high-profile peace dialogue was underway in Faskari, Katsina State, aimed at brokering an end to banditry in the region, the terrorists have continued to taunt both government and security forces.
In one daring operation, bandits reportedly ambushed the convoy of the Commanding Officer of the 382 Army Regiment at the Ruwan Godiya crossing point along the Sheme–Kankara Road in Katsina.
With communities under siege, traditional rulers targeted, and worshippers abducted from sacred grounds, the North West finds itself once again at the mercy of heavily armed gangs who appear undeterred by ongoing peace initiatives.
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