There was tension in the Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State as armed bandits invaded a mosque in the state and abducted 19 worshippers.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the State Police Command said six out of the abducted worshippers of the mosque situated at Maigamji community in the Funtua LGA.
According to reports made available to NIGERIACRIME, the 19 victims were observing the evening prayer (Issahi) inside the mosque when the terrorists swooped on them and abducted them into the forest that night.
Narrating the incident, residents said the terrorists shot and wounded the chief Imam leading the prayers and one other worshipper during the attack before abducting the victims.
It was further revealed that a combined team of the police and the vigilante initially rescued two of the victims on Saturday night while the other four were rescued early in the morning on Sunday.
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The spokesman for the state police command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident.
He said, “It’s true the attack took place. The terrorists stormed the mosque at Maigamji while people were observing Issaih prayers. They shot and injured the Imam and one other person. Those people are currently responding to treatment in the hospital. The terrorists also abducted some worshippers that night, but a combined team of the police and the vigilante rescued two of the victims that night. The security operatives also rescued four other victims on Sunday, making a total of six victims who have been rescued so far.
“Presently, 13 victims are still in the custody of the terrorists and our operatives are making serious efforts to ensure that they are rescued without any injury.”
Residents spoken with on phone on Sunday said the situation in the community was calm although they added that many were still in shock over the incident.