A gang of gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday invaded a mosque at the Sabon Layi, Kakangi ward in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the Imam and a worshipper identified as Kabir while inflicting injuries on two others.

This brings to four the number of persons killed in the area in the last 48 hours, according to neighbours.

The bandits were said to have invaded the mosque about 5am and shot at the Imam and other worshippers.

Witnesses said they have been living in fear in the community as the bandits were frequently terrorizing them.

The two other persons in the Mosque who sustained injuries in the hands of the bandits were identified as  Bilya Mairabo and Ashiru Mairabo.

A community leader, Zubair AbduRrauf, told  PUNCH Online on the telephone that the incident occurred during the early morning prayers around 5am.

AbduRrauf, who holds the title of Danmasanin of Birnin-Gwari, added that the bandits attacked Birnin-Gwari communities almost daily, killing and abducting residents, especially farmers.

He added that the situation was more worrisome on the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highway and has become a nightmare for travellers and other road users.

He said, “Yes, an Imam of a mosque and two other worshippers were killed. It occurred around 5 am on Tuesday. Two other worshippers are at the Jibrin Maigwari  General Hospital, Birnin-Gwari.

“The attack took place at Ga Allah Babba of Sabon Layi, an agrarian community in the Western part of Birnin-Gwari.  These are areas neighbouring 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 the vigilante. Two days ago, the bandits killed two people coming back from Kaduna.

“The bandits’ attack is on a daily basis.  Security personnel are really trying their best to see that the attacks are being curtailed but we need a change of strategy from them (security personnel).”

-Courtesy: Punch