In the early hours of Friday, unidentified armed assailants commonly referred to as “bandits” launched an attack on a mosque situated in Yandoto town, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attack occurred during the congregational morning prayers at approximately 5:30 a.m.
Eyewitness accounts, including that of one Mr. Shehu Garba, an indigene of Yandoto, indicate that the perpetrators, who were heavily armed, encircled the mosque premises, secured the entry points, and commenced indiscriminate gunfire upon the worshippers.
As a direct consequence of the assault:
Five (5) individuals were fatally shot on the spot.
Over twenty (20) worshippers were abducted and transported to an undisclosed location believed to be a bandit encampment.
Several other victims sustained grievous gunshot wounds and are presently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Efforts to secure an official response from the State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar, proved unsuccessful as calls were not returned.
This attack follows a similar incident in Gidan Turbe village within the same local government, wherein approximately forty (40) worshippers were abducted during early morning prayers. Reports earlier in July also documented the killing of thirty-five (35) kidnapped victims from Banga village, Kaura-Namoda LGA, after ransom demands were unmet.
The state of Zamfara has, in recent months, experienced an escalation of violent banditry, marked by recurring killings, mass abductions, and attacks on both civilians and community defense operatives.#newsafro_
