Gun men on Monday swooped on a mosque in Gidan Turbe village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State and abducted 40 worshippers.
Sources in the community said the marauders launched the attack around 5:30am, surrounded the mosque before herding the congregants away.
The captives were reportedly taken into forests on the Gohori axis of Tsafe.
The kidnapping occurred barely a day after reports of peace deals between local leaders and armed groups in parts of the northwest aimed at reducing attacks.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Fasin Yamma (OPFY) said it aborted several terrorist attacks across Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.
In Katsina, troops of 17 Brigade FOB Mabai ambushed terrorists near Gatakawa village, recovering a motorcycle and a mobile phone.
In Danmusa, soldiers repelled an ambush on Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operatives, though one officer later died from gunshot wounds.
In Kebbi, troops of 8 Division Garrison engaged terrorists at Ungushi village, Kebbe LGA, forcing them to flee. A civilian injured in the attack was evacuated to Kebbe General Hospital.
In Augie LGA, troops and NSCDC personnel also responded to an incident in Tunga Dade, where terrorists stole a motorcycle before escaping.
In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade Team 7 on patrol at Mararaba Kyeware came under ambush near Kuka village.
Two soldiers sustained injuries and were evacuated to Tsafe General Hospital for treatment before being moved to 1 Brigade Medical Centre.
