Armed assailants launched an attack on a mosque in Birnin Yaro village, Zamfara state, kidnapping multiple worshippers during evening prayers on Friday. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the assault was orchestrated by notorious warlord Bello Turji and his armed group.

The attackers struck during Isha prayers, forcibly moving the captured worshippers into nearby forest areas. The total number of kidnapped individuals has yet to be confirmed.

This incident marks the latest in a series of escalating kidnappings plaguing Zamfara state. Just last week, armed attackers on motorcycles raided Gana town in Zamfara, abducting 46 people, including women and children. During that attack, the assailants fired weapons indiscriminately and set several buildings ablaze.

In a similar incident this past December, gunmen kidnapped 43 people in Kakidawa, located in the Gidan Goga district of Maradun LGA. Local witnesses reported that the attackers conducted systematic house-to-house searches after sending residents fleeing with gunfire, primarily targeting women and children who were unable to escape.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​