Several Worshippers Killed, Others Abducted As Bandits Invade Katsina Mosque

For many hours, Yargoje village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina state witnessed a reign of terror with an invasion of gunmen that led to the killing of several worshippers and abduction of many others.

The assailants were said to have attacked a mosque, homes and other places, leaving a trail of death, tears and devastation in their wake.

According to sources, the incident occurred during Ishai prayer in the area as the gunmen reportedly stormed the mosque, spraying bullets at worshippers.

“They just walked in and started shooting,” a witness who narrowly escaped the attack said.

“Two people were killed right there, and another one was shot as he tried to run away. It was chaotic.

“The attack claimed the lives of three individuals and left four others injured. The injured are receiving treatment at a Kankara hospital. The gunmen also abducted a man and two women from the village.

“One of the victims, a man, tried to fight back, but they overpowered him and killed him,” the source lamented, adding that “they took the two women with them, and we don’t know where they are.”

Around 2:30 am on Thursday, the gunmen targeted the home of Sani Maikifi, a vigilante member in Ungwar Tudun Boka, Kankara.

However, Maikifi managed to escape through the backyard, but his family wasn’t as fortunate.

A source familiar with the incident claimed the attackers had been tracking Maikifi for some time.

“They’ve been after him for a while now,” the source revealed.

“They came looking for him, but he managed to get away. So, they took his wife and son instead.”

Adding to the night of terror, armed men also invaded Dangani village in Musawa LGA around 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

They fired gunshots, causing panic and chaos before abducting an unknown number of residents.

“They came shooting sporadically,” reported a resident who witnessed the attack.

“We heard they were after a rich man from the south who was here visiting a bereaved family member. They took many people with them,” he added.

The police are yet to issue a statement on the attacks.