Bandits kill 5, abduct Imam, 30 others inside mosque

 

Suspected bandits have reportedly killed five worshippers and abducted an Imam in Juma’at mosque in Dutsen Gari community of Kanoma District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Daily Trust reports that dozens of unidentified gunmen arrived at the village on motorbikes when the Imam was delivering the Friday sermon and they opened fire on the congregants.

“There was a pandemonium as everyone was scampering for safety. They abducted the Imam and more than 30 others and dashed into the bush on motorbikes,” residents said.

They said a military fighter jet had arrived but they were not sure whether the aircraft had attacked the positions of the criminals but it hovered for some time and flew away.

The armed criminals had earlier attacked Maje, Kunkurai and Zanau villages and rustled herds of cows and other domestic animals before they invaded Dutsen Gari. The villages are few kilometres apart.

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Another resident identified as Halilu Adamu said he had earlier been informed that armed criminals on motorcycles were approaching the community and he quickly got out of the mosque and locked himself inside his house.

“I was listening to a sermon when my elder brother came closer and whispered into my ears that armed bandits are planning to invade the community. From inside my house I could hear gunshots.

“My younger brother is among those kidnapped and we are yet to hear from the abductors whether they are demanding for ransom or not. Most of the surrounding villages have been attacked with people kidnapped and animals rustled,” he added.

Zamfara State Police spokesman, SP Muhammad Shehu, was not available to comment on the attack.