Bandits Abduct 40 Worshippers from Zamfara Mosque Amid Foiled Attacks in North-West

Armed bandits abducted approximately 40 Muslim worshippers during early morning prayers at a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Monday, plunging the community into fear and underscoring the challenges facing peace efforts in Nigeria's North-West region.Community sources reported that the assailants struck around 5:30 a.m., surrounding the mosque before herding the victims away at gunpoint. The captives were subsequently taken into dense forests near the Gohori axis of Tsafe. The attack has heightened panic among residents, casting a shadow over ongoing dialogue initiatives with armed groups that have struggled to curb escalating violence.In a related development, troops of Operation Fasin Yamma (OPFY) successfully foiled multiple terrorist attacks across Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, demonstrating the military's resolve to counter banditry despite the setbacks in negotiation efforts.In Katsina State, soldiers from the 17 Brigade Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mabai ambushed terrorists near Gatakawa village, recovering a motorcycle and a mobile phone from the insurgents. Separately, in Danmusa, troops repelled an ambush targeting Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives, though one officer succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained in the clash.Further north in Kebbi State, troops of the 8 Division Garrison engaged bandits at Ungushi village in Kebbi LGA, forcing the attackers to flee the scene. A civilian wounded in the encounter was promptly evacuated to Kebbi General Hospital for medical attention. In Augie LGA, joint teams of troops and NSCDC personnel responded to an incident in Tunga Dade, where terrorists had stolen a motorcycle before making their escape.In Zamfara, troops from 1 Brigade Team 7, while on patrol at Mararaba Kyeware, came under ambush near Kuka village. Two soldiers were injured in the firefight and were first treated at Tsafe General Hospital before being transferred to the 1 Brigade Medical Centre for further care.As military operations continue unabated in the region, authorities are simultaneously pursuing talks with select armed groups in a bid to de-escalate the violence and restore stability to affected communities.

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