Armed bandits attacked a mosque in Yandoto town, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing five worshippers and abducting 20 others during early morning prayers on Friday.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the mosque around 5:30 am, locked the worshippers inside, and opened fire.
An indigene of Yandoto, Shehu Garba, recounted the harrowing incident.
“They killed five people instantly and wounded several others who are now on admission at the hospital in Gusau, the state capital. They also abducted over 20 people who are presently in their camp,” he said.
Garba added that many victims sustained gunshot wounds, while others were forcefully taken away.
Yandoto, located about 36 kilometers from Gusau, is the hometown of former senator Kabiru Marafa.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to multiple calls.
The latest attack comes just days after gunmen invaded Gidan Turbe village, also in Tsafe LGA, where about 40 worshippers were abducted during dawn prayers.