Suspected bandits have launched a brutal attack on worshipers at a mosque in Saya-Saya village, situated in the Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of seven lives, as reported by local authorities.
The attack unfolded at approximately 8 pm as villagers gathered for their Isha’i (Sunset) prayers in their local mosque. According to local sources, five of the victims met their demise within the confines of the mosque, while the other two fell victim to the assailants at separate locations within the vicinity.
Dan Asabe, a resident of the village, disclosed that two other villagers sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were promptly rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
Malam Abdulrahaman Yusuf, the village head, confirmed the shocking incident. He revealed that the head of the local vigilante group was among those killed inside the mosque, indicating a potential motive behind the attack. “We suspected they traced him (vigilante boss) to the mosque to attack him,” Yusuf stated. “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.”
The response from security agencies was not swift, as it wasn’t until around 12:30 am that a contingent of soldiers and police personnel from Ikara town and Palgore area arrived at the scene. Tragically, by that time, the bandits had already fled the village. One of the victims with gunshot wounds was transported to Aminu Kano Hospital for critical treatment.
The incident has left the village in a state of shock and confusion. When reached for comment, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Mohammad Lawal Shehu, refrained from providing details, stating his intention to confirm the situation with the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
Acting Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mansir Alhassan, confirmed the devastating attack. He disclosed that security forces had been mobilized to nearby areas in an effort to track down and apprehend the perpetrators. Alhassan also expressed that law enforcement agencies had not been informed of the attack until after the assailants had departed the area.
In the wake of this tragedy, authorities are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities within their communities to the nearest security agencies, emphasizing the importance of timely information-sharing to prevent further violence.
