Bandits Attack Mosque in Zamfara, kill 5, Abduct 20

Bandits Attack Mosque in Zamfara, Kill Five, Abduct 20

 

 

Unknown bandits in the early hours of Friday stormed a mosque in Yandoto town, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing five worshippers and abducting 20 others.

 

Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck while the faithful were performing their morning prayers. Shehu Garba, an indigene of the town, said the bandits, who were heavily armed, surrounded the mosque around 5:30 a.m., locked the doors, and opened fire on those inside.

 

Garba said, “They killed five people instantly and injured several others, who are now receiving treatment at a hospital in Gusau. Over 20 worshippers were also abducted and are currently being held in their camp.”

 

Yandoto town is the hometown of Senator Kabiru Marafa. Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, ASP Yazid Abubakar, for comment were unsuccessful.

 

The attack follows a similar incident in Gidan Turbe village in the same local government area, where about 40 worshippers were reportedly abducted during early morning prayers.

 

Zamfara State has witnessed a rise in violent attacks in recent months. In July, 35 kidnapped victims from Banga village in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area were reportedly killed by bandits after their families failed to pay a ransom of N35 million. In March, six operatives of the state community protection guards (Askarawa) and four local vigilantes were killed in an ambush in Anka Local Government Area following a joint security operation in Sunke Forest.

 

The worsening security situation continues to leave residents vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.