Tragedy struck on Tuesday when bandits attacked a mosque in Kaduna, killing the Chief Imam and two other worshipers.
The incident, which also left some worshippers injured occurred at Ga Allah Babba Village, near Sabon layi in Birnin-Gwari local area of Kaduna State.
Although the police authorities in the state are yet to confirm the incident, a community leader, Zubair Abdurrauf, confirmed to Channels Television that the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday when the Muslims were observing their morning prayers.
According to Zubair, the bandits were returning from Zamfara State through the Kamuku forest near Kuriga village when they saw Muslim faithful observing morning prayer.
The gunmen, he said, immediately closed the mosque and opened fire on the worshippers, killing the chief imam and two others.
He further disclosed that two other worshippers who sustained life-threatening injuries were rushed to the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital for treatment.
“The attack took place at Ga Allah Babba of Sabon Layi, an agrarian community in the western part of Birnin-Gwari. These are areas neighbouring the Kamuku National Park and the Kuyebana forest in Zamfara and Niger States,” he stated.
“The imam of a mosque and two other worshippers were killed. It occurred around 5am on Tuesday. Two other worshippers who sustained life-threatening injuries are at the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari.
Zubair said Bandits used to attack Birnin-Gwari communities almost daily, killing and abducting residents, especially farmers.
“The situation is more worrisome on the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway and has become a nightmare for travellers and other road users.” he said.
He further lamented the spate of attacks by bandits in most communities in the local government and urged North-West governors to urgently set up a joint security task force to address the life threatening issue.