Dozens abducted by bandits in northwest Nigeria mosque attack

ZAMFARA, Nigeria (The Informant247) – Bandits abducted dozens of worshippers in an attack on a Jumm’at mosque in northwestern Nigeria’s Zamfara state on Friday.

Residents and local media said the armed men hid their guns inside their clothes and stormed the mosque when the Imam was about to start delivering sermon.

“When they laid siege, they asked those outside to go into the mosque told worshippers that they had come to negotiate the release of some captives with them.

“No one saw them with guns and many people mistook them for worshippers. Nobody paid attention to them because they hid their guns. However, shortly after they moved inside the mosque, they brought out the rifles and fired some warning shots.

“Some those who were outside the mosque were also abducted because unknown to them that some armed men took positions outside. They fired several gunshots into the air and then moved to forest with the captives,” said a resident of Zugu community of Gummi local government area of Zamfara state.

Speaking to newsmen, state police spokesman SP Muhammad Shehu said he is yet to receive reports on the attack.

Background

Northwest Nigeria is a hotbed of criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnapp for ransom and burn homes after looting food supplies.

The region also experiences occasional clashes between Fulani people, who and mainly herders and one of the largest ethnic groups widely dispersed across West Africa.

The Fulani, who migrated to the south to graze their cattle, claim farmers have tried to steal their animals and attack their people.

The gangs maintain camps in forests from where they launch attacks.

Troop deployments and peace talks with local authorities have failed to end the crisis.