In the Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, unknown gunmen has kidnapped not less than 19 worshippers in a mosque.
An eyewitness told reporters that on Saturday night at around 7:40pm, thugs broke into the mosque in the Maigamji neighborhood and abducted 19 worshipers.
The victims were abducted while observing the Muslims’ evening prayers otherwise called “Ishsha’i” when the terrorists invaded the area.
The leader of the prayers and another worshipper were shot and injured by the terrorists when they arrived, according to the eyewitness, who also said that they took them into the jungle.
Two of the victims were saved by a combined police and vigilante team after the tragedy, while the other four were saved early on Sunday.
The incident was also confirmed by the police. Six of the nineteen victims who were abducted, according to SP Gambo Isah, the Katsina State police spokesman, were freed.
“It’s true. The terrorists stormed the Mosque at Maigamji while people were observing Ishsha’i prayers,” he added.
“They shot and injured the Imam and one other person. The rescued victims are currently responding to treatment in a hospital. The terrorists also abducted some worshippers that night, but a combined team of the Police and the vigilante rescued two of the victims earlier that night.”
The security operatives also rescued four other victims, making a total of six victims who have been rescued so far.
“Presently, thirteen victims are still in the custody of the terrorists and our operatives are making efforts to ensure that they are rescued unhurt,” the spokesman added.