Gunmen Shoot Imam Leading Prayers, Abduct 18

Bandits have again attacked Muslim worshippers, shooting the Imam and one other person at a Maigamji village along Funtua-Dandume road, Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina.

The worshippers were attacked during late Isha'i prayers on Saturday night.

According to a former councillor of Maigamji ward in Funtua local government on Sunday, Lawal Maigamji, the bandits opened fire on them, identifying those shot as the Imam, Malam Yusha'u and a worshipper, disclosing that they were both receiving treatment at a hospital in Funtua.

“They surrounded the mosque when Ishaa’i congregational prayer was being conducted, after shooting Imam Yusha’u and Hussaini Jamo, they abducted 18 people and made away with them into the bush,” Lawal Maigamji said.

He added that four of the abducted victims escaped from their captors while in transit.

In a related development at least 31 people were reportedly abducted in Karare and Kokiya villages of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State in the early hours of Friday.

The terrorists, which were said to number about 40 riding on motorcycles, invaded the village where they killed one person and abducted the people including women and children.

According to Daily Trust, some of the abductees were students heading to the Government Day Secondary School, Karare from Kokiya village.