Fear gripped Gidan Turbe village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after suspected armed bandits abducted about 40 worshippers from a mosque during dawn prayers.
Residents said the attackers struck in the early hours, surrounding the mosque before herding the worshippers into the forest along the Gohori axis.
One villager, who asked not to be named for security reasons, described the scene as terrifying.
“They came heavily armed and blocked all exits. People were helpless inside the mosque. They picked everyone they wanted and marched them into the bush,” the witness said.
Village Head Killed in Separate Attack
In a related incident the same morning, another group of bandits attacked Dogon Daji village, also in Tsafe LGA, killing the village head.
Locals said the assailants had attempted to abduct the traditional leader, but he resisted.
“They tried to drag him away, but he refused to follow them. That was when they shot him dead,” a community elder recounted.
Security Response
Efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police Command for confirmation were unsuccessful. Calls to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, went unanswered as of press time.
The wave of insecurity in Zamfara continues to escalate despite ongoing military operations in the northwest, raising concerns over the safety of rural communities.
