The Nigerian Army has confirmed
an attack by bandits on a mosque in Kwata community in the Jibia Local
Government Area of Katsina State during which some worshippers were abducted
during the Laylatul Qadr prayer.
The army noted that its troops
of 17 Brigade and personnel of the Nigeria police fought to restore normalcy
and to rescue some of the abducted persons, but the bandits escaped with some
other victims.
Sources had on Monday
gathered that the incident happened around 12am in Kwata, during which at
least 40 worshippers were abducted.
The Director, Army Public
Relations, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, stated that the troops were on the trail
of the abducted victims.
He said, “Troops of 17 Brigade, Nigerian
Army in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force averted a
planned attack by armed bandits on Magama Central Mosque in Jibia LGA of
Katsina State where several locals had gone to observe the late night Ramadan
prayers.
“The incident which occurred in
the early morning hours of 10 May 2021 witnessed a large number of bandits who
came firing sporadically in an attempt to distrupt the prayers and abduct
innocent worshippers. But they were forced to withdraw in disarray as they were
met with overwhelming firepower from a combined team comprising troops and
police personnel who were tactically deployed in the town following earlier
Intelligence received on the planned attack.
“However, while the troops
maintained vigilance to forestall further attack on the mosque, the fleeing
criminals whose main intent was not actualised while retreating decided to raid
a local mosque on the outskirts of Jibia town where they kidnapped some
persons.
“On getting the information, the
combined team mounted a pursuit on the bandits, forcing them to abandon most of
the hostages while fleeing with an unknown number. The rescued victims have
since been reunited with their families while further efforts are ongoing to
rescue the others in collaboration with neighbouring military establishments
including those of Niger Republic.
“Late night prayers are very
common among the Muslim faithfuls particularly in the last days of the Holy
Ramadan season. The situation in Jibia is under control as reinforcements have
since arrived the area in order to facilitate the rescue efforts. The local
inhabitants are advised to go ahead with their normal business and report any
suspicious activity to the security agency nearest to them.”
SaharaReporters noted that no
fewer than 300 people have been reportedly killed by the gunmen in Jibia,
Kankara, Dutsinma, Musawa, Danmusa and Safana local government areas.
On December 11, 2020, some
bandits also kidnapped 344 students of Government Science Secondary School,
Kankara. They were released about a week later.
Source: SaharaReporters
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