Muslim worshippers were abducted by gunmen suspected to be bandits during Taraweeh prayers at a mosque in Azara community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack happened at night while residents had gathered for the Ramadan prayer.
A local source said the assailants invaded the community, firing gunshots into the air to disperse people before kidnapping six worshippers — four men and two women — from the mosque.
According to him, “The gunmen also raided another house while fleeing and abducted two additional persons. The two victims escaped while being led into the bush.”
A community leader, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident and identified the six victims as Saifullahi Harisu, Yakubu Yunusa, Abba Minkailu, Yusha’u Sadiku, Maryam Abdullahi and Aisha Yakubu.
He added that the kidnappers later contacted the community, demanding a ransom of N30 million for the victims’ release.
As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Hassan Mansur, could not be reached for comment.