At least seven people were killed on Friday when suspected bandits attacked worshippers in a mosque in Saya-Saya village, Ikara LGA, Kaduna.
Mansir Hassan, deputy public relations officer for the state police command, said the incident happened around 8 p.m., while the victims were praying in the evening.
According to Hassan, the bandits killed six worshippers in Saya-Saya village before moving on to Tashar Dauda village, where they killed another person in a mosque.
He stated that three people were injured during the attack and that the bandits stole four motorcycles.
“At about 8:00 p.m. on Friday, we received information from Saya-Saya village that six persons were killed while performing the last prayer of the day (Ishai) in a Mosque,” Hassan said.
“Bandits, about nine of them on motorcycles, arrived and attacked the people in the mosque.
“At the spot, they shot six persons while praying in a mosque in the village.
“Getting the information, the DPO Ikara promptly mobilised security operatives to the scenes.”
No arrest was made at the scene
The bandits fled before security officers arrived, according to the deputy police spokesperson, who added that seven corpses had been returned to their families.
He stated that two of the injured residents were taken to General Hospital Tudun-Wada in Kano state for treatment, while the third was rushed to General Hospital Ikara.
“So far no arrest was made at the scenes of the incident but five empty shells of AK49 rifle were recovered,” he added.
Musa Garba, the commissioner of police in Kaduna, urged officers to step up efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
Muhammad Shehu, the governor of Kaduna’s chief press secretary, also confirmed the attack.
“It is true. The governor has since sent a powerful delegation under Mr Samuel Aruwan, the overseer of the ministry for internal affairs to condole the people of Ikara,” Shehu told TheCable.
“He has also directed security agencies to investigate the unfortunate incident.”
