Bandits attack Kaduna Mosque, kill Imam and a worshipper

The incident left two worshippers injured and receiving urgent treatment.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, some bandits invaded a mosque at the Sabon Layi, Kakangi ward in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the iman and a worshipper, with two others sustaining injuries.

The worshipper who was killed is identified as Kabir, while the two injured worshippers were identified as Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mariano. They were said to be receiving urgent treatment at a general hospital in the local government.

According to reports, the incident occurred during the early morning prayers around 5am. A source told the Punch that bandits attacked Birnin-Gwari communities almost daily, killing and abducting residents, especially farmers.

The source added that the community highway has become a nightmare for travellers and other road users.

“Yes, an Imam of a mosque and two other worshippers were killed. It occurred around 5 am on Tuesday. Two other worshippers are at the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari,” he said.

“The attack took place at Ga Allah Babba of Sabon Layi, an agrarian community in the Western part of Birnin-Gwari. These are areas neighbouring the Kamuku National Park and the Kuyebana Forest in Zamfara and Niger states.

“We are in a precarious situation in Birnin-Gwari. Even on the Kaduna – Birnin-Gwari highway, people are being escorted by either security personnel or the vigilante. Two days ago, the bandits killed two people coming back from Kaduna.

“The bandits’ attack is on a daily basis. Security personnel are really trying their best to see that the attacks are being curtailed but we need a change of strategy from them (security personnel).”