Suspected bandits launched a deadly assault on a mosque, claiming the lives of seven Muslims in Saya-Saya village, Kaduna state, on September 1.
Reports indicate that the tragic incident occurred while the worshippers were performing their Isha'i (Sunset) prayers in the mosque, with the assailants ambushing them.
The attackers killed five victims inside the mosque, while two others met their unfortunate fate at different locations within the area.
Malam Abdulrahaman Yusuf, the village Head, confirmed the incident and revealed that the head of the local vigilante was among those killed inside the mosque. He explained, “We suspected they traced him (vigilante boss) to the mosque to attack him. We were inside the mosque praying when they arrived and started shooting. Five persons were killed at the mosque, while a driver who brought food items to the village was also killed. The other person was killed at a nearby village.”
Security forces, including soldiers and police from Ikara town and Palgore area, arrived at the scene around 12:30 am, but the bandits had already fled the village.
The acting Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mansir Alhassan, confirmed the incident and stated that security personnel had been deployed to nearby areas to track down the perpetrators. He noted that law enforcement agencies were not alerted to the attack until after the assailants had departed the area.
