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- Peace Deal in Jeopardy as Bandits Kidnap 40 Worshippers in Zamfara Mosque
At least 40 worshippers were kidnapped on Monday morning when heavily armed gunmen stormed a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Read Our Last Post: Tragedy as Childhood Friends from Jos Who Joined the Military Die 40 Days Apart
The shocking incident has thrown fresh doubts on the fragile peace agreements recently brokered in parts of the North-West, especially in Zamfara and Katsina States, where banditry and kidnappings have continued to torment rural communities.
Community leaders and stakeholders have described the abduction as a clear sign that the peace deals struck with armed groups are already failing to guarantee security.
Barely weeks ago, on August 28, 2025, leaders in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State had signed a peace pact with bandits in Wurma forest. The agreement, witnessed by the Maradin Katsina and district head of Kurfi, Alhaji Mansur Amadu Kurfi, alongside the local government chairman, Babangida Abdullahi Kurfi, was seen as a historic step toward ending years of bloodshed, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.
During the pact, top bandit leaders including Alhaji Usman Kachalla Ruga, Sani Muhindinge, Yahaya Sani (popularly called Hayyu), and Alhaji Shu’aibu vowed to end attacks, release captives, and allow farmers to return to their lands without fear. Several abductees were freed as part of the agreement, raising hopes for peace in the troubled region.
However, less than a month later, those hopes appear dashed as bandits struck again, this time targeting worshippers in Zamfara, carting away dozens in the early morning attack.
Security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the latest abduction, but residents fear the peace deal has collapsed, leaving communities exposed to further violence.
