Bandits invade mosque, abduct deputy chief Imam, dozens of worshippers in Zamfara

Bandits, on Friday, invaded a Jumaat mosque in Zugu community in Zamfara state, and abducted a yet-to-be-confirmed number of worshippers.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the bandits disguised as worshippers and invaded the central mosque in Zugu town, Bukkuyum LGA, at about 1:30 pm on Friday.

“Many worshipers scampered for safety amidst sporadic shooting by the insurgents. The bandits surrounded the remaining worshippers and took them away,” a witness was reported as saying.

Abdulkareem Bilyaminu, a resident, also reportedly said the deputy chief imam was among those abducted by the gunmen.

“The armed group followed to the eastern location of Zugu village, heading towards Gando forest,” Bilyaminu was quoted as saying.

Zamfara police spokesman, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the attack on the village but said the command has not been able to ascertain if it was a mosque that was invaded as the community is in a remote location.

The spokesman said no one was killed in the attack, adding that the number of abducted persons is not yet known.

“We have a report stating that bandits abducted people from the village. It is a remote village, so we’re not sure if it’s a mosque that was attacked,” he said.

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“Also, the number of people abducted has not been established and nobody was killed in the attack.

“The police operatives deployed in that axis are on search and rescue. They are also working to apprehend the perpetrators.”

There has been a spike in the activities of bandits in north-western states, with invasion of communities by gunmen, leading to killings and abductions.

In July, at least 11 people were killed following an attack by gunmen in Maru LGA area of Zamfara state.

Among those who were said to have been killed were farmers.

The Cable