Summary: Six worshippers were abducted by armed bandits during Taraweeh prayers at a mosque in Azara community, Kachia LGA, Kaduna State. The kidnappers are demanding N30 million ransom.
In yet another distressing incident highlighting the worsening security situation in parts of Northern Nigeria, armed bandits have abducted six worshippers from a mosque in Azara community, located in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The brazen attack occurred on Thursday evening while residents were observing their Taraweeh prayers—the special night prayers performed during the holy month of Ramadan.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to Tanimu Ibrahim, a resident of Azara who spoke with Daily Trust on Monday, March 2, the bandits stormed the community during the sacred prayer time, firing gunshots indiscriminately into the air to create panic.
The attackers then forcibly took away six adults—four men and two women—from the mosque premises.
“They came while we were in the mosque praying Taraweeh. They started shooting into the air and took away six of our people,” Ibrahim narrated.
The bandits didn’t stop there. While making their escape, they raided another house in the community and kidnapped two more persons. Fortunately, these two victims managed to escape from their captors as they were being led into the forest.
“Two other victims were abducted, but as God would have it, they narrowly escaped on their way into the forest,” Ibrahim added, expressing gratitude for their miraculous escape.
The Victims and Ransom Demand
A community leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the incident and provided the names of the six victims still in captivity:
– Saifullahi Harisu
– Yakubu Yunusa
– Abba Minkailu
– Yusha’u Sadiku
– Maryam Abdullahi
– Aisha Yakubu
The leader revealed that the kidnappers wasted no time in establishing contact with the community. On Friday morning, around 11 am, the bandits’ leader called and made a staggering ransom demand of N30 million for the release of the six victims.
“Contact was established around 11 am on Friday when the bandits’ leader called and demanded N30 million and he immediately switched off the phone,” the community leader disclosed.
Police Response
A police source in the area has confirmed the abduction but declined to provide further details. The source referred journalists to the Kaduna State Police Command headquarters for official statements.
Growing Insecurity in Kaduna
This latest attack adds to the growing list of kidnapping incidents plaguing Kaduna State and other parts of Northwestern Nigeria. The fact that bandits now target worshippers during prayers underscores the audacity of these criminal elements and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
The incident has sent shockwaves through neighboring communities, with many residents expressing fear and frustration over the deteriorating security situation.
As families of the victims anxiously await their loved ones’ safe return, questions continue to mount about the government’s capacity to protect citizens, even in places of worship.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.
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