TheCable

At least seven persons were killed on Friday when suspected bandits attacked worshippers in a mosque at Saya-Saya village in Ikara LGA of Kaduna.

Mansir Hassan, deputy public relations officer of the police command in the state, said the incident occurred at about 8pm when the victims were observing the evening prayer.

Hassan said the bandits shot the six worshippers to death in Saya-Saya village and moved to Tashar Dauda village where they killed another person in a mosque.

He said three persons sustained injuries during the attack, while four motorcycles were stolen by the bandits.

“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,” NAN quoted Hassan as saying.

“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.”

The deputy police spokesperson said the bandits escaped before the security officers arrived at the location, adding that seven corpses had been handed over to their families.

He said two of the wounded residents were taken to General Hospital Tudun-Wada in Kano state, while the remaining one was rushed to the General Hospital in Ikara for treatment.

“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, commissioner of police in Kaduna, urged the officers to intensify efforts to ensure the perpetrators are arrested.

Muhammad Shehu, chief press secretary to the governor of Kaduna, 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.”