5th December, 2022
The Police in Katsina said its operatives have rescued six out of the 19 worshippers abducted by terrorists at a mosque in Maigamji community of Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday evening.
Katsina police spokesperson, SP Gambo Isah, said this while confirming abduction of the worshippers at the mosque by the hoodlums at about 7:40 pm on Saturday.
The terrorists were also reported to have shot the Imam during their rampage at the mosque before going away with the abductees.
SP Gambo confirmed that the terrorists stormed the mosque at Maigamji community, shot the Imam and one other person while they abducted 19 people during the evening Ishsha’i prayers.
“They shot and injured the Imam and one other person. The rescued victims are currently responding to treatment in a hospital. The terrorists also abducted some worshippers that night, but a combined team of the Police and the vigilante rescued two of the victims earlier that night.”
He added that security operatives also rescued four other victims, making a total of six victims who have been rescued so far.
“Presently, thirteen victims are still in the custody of the terrorists and our operatives are making efforts to ensure that they are rescued unhurt,” the spokesman added.
Eyewitness said the terrorists had on arrival, shot and wounded the leader of the prayers along with one other worshipper before taking them into the bush.
A combined team of the Police and vigilante initiated a rescue search after the incident and rescued two of the victims while the other four were rescued early Sunday.