Muslim worshippers were seized by gunmen suspected of being bandits during Taraweeh prayers at a mosque in Azara community, Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The tragedy happened at night, when residents gathered for Ramadan prayers.
According to a neighbourhood source, the attackers assaulted the area, blasting bullets into the air to terrify neighbours before abducting six persons from the mosque: four men and two women.
According to him, “The gunmen also stormed another house while fleeing, abducting two more people. The two victims fled while being escorted through the bush.”
A village leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the abduction and identified the six victims as Saifullahi Harisu, Yakubu Yunusa, Abba Minkailu, Yusha’u Sadiku, Maryam Abdullahi, and Aisha Yakubu.
He went on to say that the kidnappers contacted the community and wanted N30 million for the victims’ release.
As of the time of reporting this story, ASP Hassan Mansur, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, could not be reached by phone.