Suspected bandits attacked a mosque in Kankara, Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, resulting in three deaths and several abductions.
Despite no official confirmation from security agencies or government officials, residents reported the incident occurring around 8:00 pm on Thursday.
An anonymous resident revealed that four worshippers were wounded during the prolonged attack, which unfolded as the assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on those engaged in the “Isha’i” prayer.
“The hoodlums later proceeded to the Kankara town and kidnapped a man and two other women.
“They (hoodlums) also butchered another person mercilessly for refusing to go with them,” he narrated.
Northwest and central Nigeria have been plagued by gangs of criminals who stage deadly raids on villages and kidnap residents for ransom.
Though driven by financial gain, there are concerns among officials and analysts about their growing ties with jihadists waging a 14-year insurgency in the northeast.
Militia members said they had redeployed from battling jihadists to help fight the gangs near Nigeria’s northwestern border with Niger Republic.
