Worshippers flee as bandits disrupt Jummat prayers

Rampaging bandits in a surprised attack on Friday forced residents of Dan-Ali, a community in Katsina State,  to abandon their Jummat prayers after heavy shooting rocked the area during an attack by the insurgents. 

The incident, which took place in Danmusa Local Government Area, sparked fear and caused the disruption of prayers at several mosques.

“We were at the Jummat prayer when we heard the shooting and everybody ran. We couldn’t hold our prayers again.

“Thanks to the Security Watch Corps in the area that gave them a hot chase,” said a local source who spoke to PUNCH on condition of anonymity.

The source also called for more security personnel, saying, “We need reinforcement because the bandits are giving us a tough time in our communities as we speak.”

For over a week, the attackers have been targeting farmers in Dan-Ali and nearby communities such as Gwarjo, Dangane, Tudun, Tasha Kadanya, and Tasha Biri. “Many farmers have been kidnapped, and we are all scared to enter our farms,” the source added.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, for comments were not successful at the time of this report.