Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked a mosque in Bushe community, located in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on Thursday.
During the attack, the bandits kidnapped no fewer than 10 worshippers, including the Imam, while they were performing their early morning Subhi prayer.
Eyewitnesses shared with Channels Television that the gunmen stormed the mosque while the worshippers were still engaged in their prayers.
Residents of Bushe community stated that the bandits had been terrorizing them for some time, despite the presence of security agents in the area. “The gunmen have been troubling us for a while now, and even with security forces around, they still carry out these attacks,” one resident said.
The timely response of the Nigerian Army troops helped limit the damage from the attack. The presence of security agents was credited with curbing further violence.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident on Friday. The police spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, assured that efforts were underway to rescue the abducted victims. “We are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the safe return of those taken by the gunmen,” Rufai stated.
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, representing the Sabon Birni B state Constituency, also confirmed the attack. The lawmaker praised the quick response of the security agencies, calling it an important step in curbing the violence in the region.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to search for the kidnapped victims and the attackers.
