Tears, Tension as Terrorists Invade Mosque, Kill 18 Worshippers in Zamfara
- Terrorists have struck again in Zamfara state, killing 18 worshippers at a mosque on Friday, September 23
- The tragic incident happened in Ruwan Jema, a community in the Bukkuyum area of the northern state
- A traditional ruler who spoke anonymously for safety reasons said many residents also sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in the hospital
Zamfara - Terrorists on Friday, September 23, attacked a Jum’at mosque and killed 18 people, according to the residents of Ruwan Jema, a community in the Bukkuyum area of Zamfara state.
Premium Times cited multiple local sources as saying that the attack began a few minutes after 1pm and lasted for over an hour.
Source: Twitter
The attack was suspected to have been carried out by terrorists from either the Dogo Gudale gang or Shadari gang, which are based in the nearby Gando forest.
Community deserted: Resident narrates how incident happened
An indigene of Bukkuyum town, Abdullahi Salisu, said the terrorists arrived at the mosques in motorcycles just as Jum’at prayer was about to start and started shooting at the worshippers indiscriminately.
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He said:
“When the bandits came on their motorcycles, they rode straight to the mosque. When the worshippers, who were already inside the mosque learnt of their arrival, they started running outside but it was too late as the bandits opened fire on the worshippers."
Salisu, who was in Bukkuyum town Saturday afternoon, September 24, said Ruwan Jema has been deserted.
“Those who hid inside their houses and silos later recovered eight dead bodies inside the mosque while ten other corpses were recovered outside the mosque. As of Friday night, 18 dead bodies were counted," the resident narrated.
He added that several residents fled into the bush but were later seen in other communities while others trekked to Bukkuyum, the local government area headquarters.
Many residents receiving treatment, says traditional ruler
Similarly, a traditional ruler who spoke anonymously for safety reasons said several residents are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Bukkuyum.
He said four people who sustained serious injuries were taken to the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.
“There are more than ten victims with gunshots injuries in Bukkuyum General Hospital . This morning, the medical officer asked that four people should be taken to Sokoto for urgent medical attention. I was there when they left. They sustained serious gunshots and we hope they survive it,” the traditional ruler was quoted as saying.
Another resident of Bukkuyum, Abubakar Usman, said the dead bodies had not been buried as of Saturday.
“Even those who started gathering the corpses abruptly fled for their lives in the evening when there was a rumour that the bandits were returning. That’s why I told you the figure could be more than 18 because who know how many were killed when even those who started the counting abandoned the dead bodies and run for their lives?” he said
He added that he heard that the policemen and soldiers stationed in the area were getting reinforcement to go to the community so that the dead bodies could be buried.
Matawalle announces death penalty for anyone found guilty of bandit-related offences
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle, signed into law a death penalty for any person found guilty of banditry, rustling, cultism or acting informant to bandits.
The governor announced this in a live broadcast on Tuesday morning, August 16.
Matawalle noted that he assented to the bill on “prohibition and punishment for banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping and other incidental offences 2022” on June 28, 2021.
Source: Legit.ng
