Gangs infest the area, often carrying out robberies or kidnappings for ransom.
Gunmen kidnapped dozens of worshipers attending Friday afternoon prayers at a mosque in Zamfara state, northwest Nigeria, police and witnesses said.
Gangs infest the area, often carrying out robberies or kidnappings for ransom.
Mohammed Shehu, a police spokesman in Zamfara, confirmed that an unknown number of worshipers were abducted from a mosque in the town of Zugu (170 kilometers west of Gusau, the state capital).
Ibrahim Aminou, who was at the mosque, told Reuters the kidnappers had hidden their weapons under their clothes and pretended they had gone there for evening prayers. Shortly after entering, they pulled out their weapons and started firing into the air, causing panic among worshipers who ran for cover, it said. The gunmen kidnapped dozens of worshipers and took them to an unknown location, Aminou said.
Mohammed Bukar said his 22-year-old brother was among the abductees. The gunmen used his phone to call him and demanded a ransom. Initially, they did not specify the amount, he said.
Nigeria’s military last month began launching airstrikes in areas believed to be gang strongholds and claims to have killed dozens of gang members so far.
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