Some bandits, in the early hours of Tuesday, invaded a mosque at Sabon Layi, Kakangi ward in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the Imam, identified simply as Mallam Mamuda.
They also killed a worshipper, identified as Kabir, while two others, Mallam Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo, sustained injuries.
A community leader, Mallam Zubair AbduRauf, told The PUNCH on the telephone that the incident occurred during the early morning prayers period around 5 am.
AbduRauf, who holds the title of Danmasanin of Birnin-Gwari, added that the bandits attack Birnin-Gwari communities almost on a daily basis, killing and abducting residents, especially farmers.
He added that the situation was more worrisome on the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway and had become a nightmare for travellers and other road users.
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He said, “Yes, an Imam of a mosque and two other worshippers were killed around 5am on Tuesday. Two other worshippers are at the Jibrin Maigwari General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari, receiving treatment.
“The attack took place at Ga Allah Babba of Sabon Layi, an agrarian community in the western part of Birnin-Gwari. These are neighbouring areas to the Kamuku National Park and the Kuyebana Forest in Zamfara and Niger states.
“We are in a precarious situation in Birnin-Gwari. Even on the Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari highway, people are being escorted by either security personnel or vigilantes. Two days ago, the bandits killed two people coming back from Kaduna.
“The bandit attack happens daily. Security personnel are really trying their best to see that the attacks are being curtailed but we need a change of strategy from them.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, Mansir Hassan, told our correspondent on the telephone, “I am driving; when I stop, I will get back to you.”
He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
