Gunmen abducts Muslim worshipers observing Thajud (vigil) in Jibia mosque Katsina

by Yerindideke Kindness Ayibakuro

Gunmen on early Monday morning,  abducted Muslim worshippers observing Thajud (vigil) in a mosque at Jibia, Katsina State.

This was disclosed by an opinion leader in the town, Mallam Gide Dahiru, however, he said the number of those abducted were eleven, made up of seven men, three women, and a boy.

Tarakiri voice newspaper reports that the gunmen swooped on the mosque located around the New Abbatoir Area in the town, a few minutes after midnight when the worshippers were in the middle of the prayers and did not fire any gunshot in order not to attract attention.

The gunmen reportedly marched the victims out of the mosque to their waiting motorcycles.

Tarakiri voice newspaper reports that according to a eye witness who witnessed the incident from his house, said, “The bandits arrived silently a few minutes after midnight. 

“They entered the mosque and marched the victims out. 

“During the operation, some gang members positioned themselves within the vicinity of the mosque.

 “It was when they were leaving the mosque with the last victim that one of them shot into the air and they then moved along the Kaoran-Namoda Highway. 

“The gunshot attracted residents and security operatives who later arrived at the mosque”, he said.

Tarakiri voice newspaper however reports that  according to Duhiru, security operatives including the police and soldiers had taken positions in the town.

The spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, was yet to respond to the SMS sent to him on the incident as of 10am. He didn’t also pick calls put across to him.