Fear has gripped the Tsafe community in Zamfara State following an early morning Thursday attack that saw no fewer than 30 civilians taken hostage and marched to an unknown destination.
The attack began at 5:00 a.m. local time at about the time Muslim locals had gathered at the community’s mosque for prayers. The bandits, who came heavily armed, caught the worshippers off guard, firing bullets indiscriminately to subdue any form of resistance.
“We were about to begin our prayers when they (the Fulani terrorists) suddenly entered the mosque and ordered everyone outside,” an eyewitness Garba told Nigerian media. “There was pandemonium as people tried to escape, but the bandits blocked all exits and threatened to shoot anyone who disobeyed.”
According to Garba, the motorbike-riding bandits parked their motorbikes on the outskirts of the town and quietly entered the community. Though the attack was bloodless, although at least 30 locals were taken away as captives.
“The mosque was full to capacity when the bandits attacked the place and very few of us were able to escape,” the eyewitness added. Civilian guards in the community went after the outlaws but lost them.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
