Gunmen Kill 5, Kidnap 18 In Zamfara Mosque

Gunmen have killed five worshippers and kidnapped 18 in an attack on a mosque during prayers in Zamfara state, police said on  Sunday.

Around 100 cattle thieves on motorcycles opened fire on a Muslim congregation in Dutsen Gari village in the Maru district as residents were observing the weekly Friday prayers.

“The bandits killed five worshippers and kidnapped 18 others, including the imam,” state police spokesman Mohammed Shehu told AFP.

Residents, however, said more than 30 worshippers were abducted

“The gunmen attacked the mosque while the imam was delivering the sermon and took away more than 30 people,  including the imam, after shooting dead five worshippers,” one resident, Ibrahim Altine, told AFP.

Northwest Nigeria is a hotbed of criminal gangs who raid villages, stealing cattle, kidnapping for ransom and burning homes after looting food supplies.

The gangs maintain camps in the Rugu forest which straddles Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states from where they launch attacks.