Nigeria: In the latest attack by armed gangs in Nigeria’s north, gunmen killed a dozen worshippers, including an imam, and kidnapped several others from a mosque on Saturday night, local people claimed on Sunday.
Armed groups known as bandits assault vulnerable areas, killing or kidnapping individuals for ransom. Villagers are also required to pay protection fees in order to produce and harvest their crops.
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Information provided by residents regarding the incident
Lawal Haruna, a resident of Funtua in President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state of Katsina, told the sources over the phone that the gunmen arrived on motorbikes at the Maigamji mosque and began shooting intermittently, forcing worshippers to leave.
According to Haruna, about 12 people, including the chief imam, were caught in the crossfire and killed.
“They then assembled a large crowd and led them to the woods. I’m hoping that the bandits will release the innocent individuals they have kidnapped “said Abdullahi Mohammed, another Funtua resident.
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State-backed vigilantes, with the help of some civilians, had managed to rescue several worshippers
Gambo Isah, a spokesman for Katsina state police, confirmed the attack and said state-backed vigilantes, with the help of some civilians, had managed to rescue several worshippers.
Katsina is one of several states in Nigeria’s northwest that share a border with neighbouring Niger, allowing gangs to freely roam between the two countries.
The Nigerian military has been bombing bandit camps, but the attacks continue, increasing concerns about the safety of voters who will go to the polls in February to determine Buhari’s successor.
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