Ndudi Anyim
The Nigerian Army has said a yet-to-be identified number of worshippers were whisked away by bandits from a mosque in the outskirt of Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State on May 10.
This is as it confirmed that the armed bandits, who had earlier attempted to abduct worshippers at Magama Central Mosque in Jibia LGA, were repelled by a combined team of security operatives from the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force.
It was learnt that residents of the community had gathered at the Magama Mosque for Ramadan prayers, when the bandits stormed the area in the early hours of the day shooting sporadically.
According to Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, operatives who had earlier received intelligence on the attack, responded with superior fire power, which made the bandits flee.
Yerima, however, revealed that the bandits had gone on to attack and abduct worshippers at the other mosque in the outskirt of Jibia, but operatives who swiftly responded to the distress call, gave the bandits a hot chase rescuing some of the victims, while an undisclosed number of persons were whisked away by the bandits.
A statement on the attack read: “Troops of 17 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force averted a planned attack by armed bandits on Magama Central Mosque in Jibia LGA of Katsina State where several locals had gone to observe the late night Ramadan prayers.
“The incident which occurred in the early morning hours of 10 May 2021 witnessed a large number of bandits who came firing sporadically in an attempt to disrupt the prayers and abduct innocent worshippers were forced to withdraw in disarray as they were met with overwhelming firepower from a combined team comprising troops and Police personnel who were tactically deployed in the town following earlier intelligence received on the planned attack.
“However, while the troops maintained vigilance to forestall further attack on the mosque, the fleeing criminals whose main intent was not actualised while retreating decided to raid a local mosque at the outskirts of Jibia town where they kidnapped some persons.
“On getting the information, the combined team mounted a pursuit on the bandits, forcing them to abandon most of the hostages while fleeing with an unknown number. The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families while further efforts are ongoing to rescue the others in collaboration with neighbouring military establishments including those of Niger Republic.
“Late night prayers are very common among the Muslim faithfuls particularly in the last days of the Holy Ramadan season. The situation in Jibia is under control as reinforcements have since arrived the area in order to facilitate the rescue efforts.”
He advised local inhabitants to go ahead with their normal business and report any suspicious activity to the security agency nearest to them.