Zamfara State was thrown into mourning on Friday after armed bandits stormed a mosque in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area, killing at least five worshippers and abducting several others during early morning prayers.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen invaded the mosque at dawn, shooting indiscriminately at those gathered for prayers. Five people died instantly, while many others sustained injuries from gunshots.
A local resident, who asked not to be identified, said the attackers dragged away an unspecified number of worshippers into the surrounding forest before retreating. He described the incident as “barbaric and inhuman,” adding that some of the injured victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities where they are responding to treatment.
When contacted, Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he was yet to receive a situation report from the Divisional Police Officer in Tsafe.
The incident comes just days after gunmen abducted about 40 worshippers in Gidan Turbe, another community in Tsafe LGA, during dawn prayers.