No fewer than seven people have been reportedly killed as gunmen suspected bandits attacked worshippers in a mosque at Saya-Saya village, in Ikara local government area of Kaduna State.
According to local sources, the incident happened around 8 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023, when the villagers were performing ishai (sunset) prayers at a mosque. Five of the victims were gunned down in the mosque, while the remaining two other victims were killed at different locations within the area.
The village Head, Malam AbdulRahman Yusuf, confirmed the incident, saying the head of the vigilante in the village was among the victims killed inside the mosque.
Also, a resident of the village, Dan Asabe, said two other villagers who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The village Head said security agencies, comprising soldiers and Police from Ikara town and Palgore area, arrived at the scene around 12:30am, but by then, the bandits had already left the village. According to him, one of the victims with gunshot wounds was taken to Aminu Kano Hospital for treatment. He said the village was thrown into confusion.
When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Mohammad Lawal Shehu, declined comment, saying he will confirm the issue from the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
The State Police Command’sActing Public Relations Officer, Mansur Alhassan, who confirmed the incident, said security personnel had been mobilised to nearby bushes to fish out the perpetrators. According to him, the Police and other security agencies were not informed of the attack until after the attackers left the area.
He urged the members of the public to always report suspicious movements within their communities to nearby security agencies at the right time.
