Many killed as gunmen storm mosque, abduct several villagers in Katsina

Armed assailants wrought havoc across Katsina State from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, targeting a mosque, residences, and leaving a grim aftermath of casualties and abductions.

The most harrowing incident unfolded during Ishai prayer in Yargoje village, Kankara Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses recounted how the assailants barged into the mosque, indiscriminately firing upon worshippers.

“They just entered and began shooting,” one survivor recounted.

“Three lives were claimed on the spot, with four others sustaining injuries. The wounded are currently receiving medical attention at a Kankara hospital. Additionally, the attackers abducted one man and two women from the village.

“In a tragic turn, one of the victims, a man, attempted to resist but was overpowered and fatally shot,” the witness lamented. “The two women were forcibly taken, their whereabouts remain unknown.”

Around 2:30 am on Thursday, the assailants targeted the residence of Sani Maikifi, a vigilante member in Ungwar Tudun Boka, Kankara.

Though Maikifi managed to evade capture, his family was not as fortunate.

A source familiar with the incident revealed that the assailants had been tracking Maikifi for some time.

“They’ve been pursuing him for a while now,” the source disclosed.

“They sought him out at his residence but he eluded them. Consequently, they seized his wife and son,” the source added.

Adding to the night of terror, armed men also descended upon Dangani village in Musawa LGA around 11:30 pm on Wednesday.

Residents reported hearing gunshots and witnessing a scene of chaos as the assailants abducted an unspecified number of individuals.

“They arrived firing indiscriminately,” one resident recounted.

“We’ve heard rumors that they targeted a wealthy individual from the south who was visiting a grieving family member here. They took several people with them,” the resident added.