Bandits have abducted at least 55 people in two separate attacks in Zamfara State, just days after community leaders and armed groups in neighbouring Katsina State entered into a peace agreement.

The first attack occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Monday at a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area, where 43 worshippers were reportedly taken during morning prayers. Locals said the gunmen surrounded the mosque, then marched their captives toward Gahori Mountain, a dense forest notorious as a haven for armed groups operating across Zamfara, Kebbi and parts of Kaduna.

The second incident took place on Sunday at Godai village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area, where 12 people were abducted after sporadic gunfire forced residents to flee.

Residents said the attack on Gidan Turbe has thrown several communities in Tsafe into panic. “The bandits silently surrounded the mosques and patiently waited for the worshippers to finish prayers. Shortly after they finished, the bandits gathered all of them outside and later moved them out of the village,” said Habibu Dogo, a resident.

“It appears the bandits kept their motorcycles afar because nobody in the village noticed their movements. After they abducted the worshippers, they moved them towards Gahori Mountain,” he added.

Auwal Isa, another Tsafe resident, said the area has seen a surge in bandit attacks. “From Kucheri-Tsafe, a distance of about 10 kilometres has become a death trap due to persistent banditry activities,” he said. “Several communities within this parameter have remained under constant attacks by the bandits in recent days. Hardly a day passes without a community or two being attacked.”

Locals allege that notorious bandit leaders including Bello Turji, Ado Aliero, Dogo Gide, Dan Isuhu and Black maintain hideouts around Gahori Mountain. Some residents said even communities that had agreements with the bandits are now being attacked.

“The bandits will enter an agreement with a village and collect their money, but later attack them on the slightest provocation,” Isa said.

A community leader who asked not to be named said the attack was likely carried out by gunmen loyal to Adamu Aliero, and linked it to Zamfara’s refusal to enter a peace deal. “Whenever they reach a peace deal with one community, they simply shift their attacks to neighbouring areas,” he said. “After the latest peace deal was brokered last Saturday in Katsina, I knew we would be their next target.”

‘We’re in Distress’ — Residents

Residents accused the federal and Zamfara State governments of failing to protect them. “We are tired of the game the two governments are playing. All we want is peace,” said Muhammad Tukur Isa from Kaura Namoda. “If the government can deploy adequate personnel and weapons to secure elections in this community, why can’t it provide the same protection for our lives?”

Another resident, Alhaji Bello Yusuf Tsafe, urged the Minister of State for Defence and Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal to work together. “They need each other, and until they put their heads together, Zamfara people will continue to suffer in the hands of bandits,” he said.

Sunday’s attack on Godai village was said to have occurred around 3:40 a.m. A security expert, Zagazola Makama, said on social media that 12 people were abducted. Police confirmed receiving a distress call and said they deployed officers to the area.

Governor Lawal has repeatedly ruled out negotiating with bandits. “Since assuming office, I have made it clear: we will not negotiate with those who murder innocent citizens,” he said during a condolence visit to communities hit by banditry in August. “These groups have never shown sincerity, and we will not legitimise their actions by engaging them.”

Calls for Federal Action

Lawal’s media aide, Alhaji Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, accused the federal government of inaction, saying soldiers on the ground often await clearance from Abuja before confronting bandits. He contrasted this with the heavy military presence deployed during a recent by-election. “If not politicisation, what stops the federal government from deploying the same resources to fight banditry?” he asked.

A security expert said the peace deals with bandits have consistently failed. “You cannot achieve peace with bandits in Katsina State while the government of Zamfara State has rejected any form of negotiations with bandits,” he said. “These bandits are many, and they are all operating with dangerous firearms. They will never lay down their arms… they will continue to deceive the government, collect huge amounts of money in the name of negotiation, and continue to buy weapons with it.”

He added that poor coordination between state and federal authorities, low soldier morale, and inadequate weaponry have worsened the crisis. “There is no way Nigeria will win the fight while its soldiers are confronting terrorists with lower-grade weapons; they need superior weapons to defeat the bandits,” he said.

Previous Attacks

Tsafe has endured repeated attacks in recent months. In April, suspected loyalists of Adamu Aliero burned a mosque, a primary health centre and 10 houses in Biyabiki village. That same day, Tsageru village was also torched. Later, gunmen in police uniforms killed a teacher at Government Secondary School, Raka, and kidnapped his wife and two others. In Keta village, suspected Aliero loyalists killed one person, burned 11 vehicles and looted shops.

Meanwhile, in Gummi LGA, residents of Sindun village killed two suspected bandits after they kidnapped a man and stole his motorcycles.