Bandits break into Katsina mosque, abduct ’40 worshippers’

Bandits in the early hours of Monday abducted worshippers observing midnight prayer (Tahajjud) at a mosque in Jibia Local Government Area of State.

The incident took place at Abattoir area of Jibia.

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One of the officials of committee on IDPs in Jibia, who confirmed the unfortunate incident to Daily Trust, said the number of those abducted could be higher than 40.

He said around 7:30pm on Sunday, they had intelligence that the bandits were mobilising to attack Jibia, and they notified the security agents and local vigilante as well.

“Our focus was on Izala mosque at Tashar Huraira area, so we deployed our resources there, but unfortunately, they went to the mosque which is not that popular.

“One of the worshippers who escaped told us that they surrounded the mosque while prayers were in progress, went in, switched off the microphone with which the Imam was reciting Qur’an, and asked the worshippers to move out,” he said.

He said Jibia had been targeted by the bandits as some captives once overheard them discussing about their plan of attacking the town.

Police rescue 30

Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo, confirmed the incident, saying the bandits who came in their numbers, surrounded the worshippers at a newly constructed mosque at the outskirt of Jibia.

“It is around Abattoir quarters, which is their notorious route into Jibia. They surrounded the worshippers and fired a shot into the air to scare them after which they abducted about 40 of them.”

“But a combined effort of the police, military, local vigilante and members of the community went after them and succeeded in rescuing about 30 of the victims.

“When we conducted a headcount this morning, about 10 are still missing, but we are not sure if they are actually with the bandits or they have ran to other places for their safety. But investigation is ongoing,” he said.