▪︎Efforts are ongoing to rescue others
Troops of 17 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, averted a planned attack by bandits on Magama Central Mosque in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State where several locals had gone to observe the late night Ramadan prayers.
In a statement, Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said the incident which occurred in the early morning hours of 10 May, 2021 witnessed a large number of bandits who came firing sporadically in an attempt to disrupt the prayers and abduct innocent worshippers.
He said they were forced to withdraw in disarray as they were met with overwhelming firepower from a combined team comprising troops and police operatives who were tactically deployed in the town following earlier Intelligence received on the planned attack.
Yerima said while the troops maintained vigilance to forestall further attack on the mosque, the fleeing criminals whose main intent was not actualised while retreating decided to raid a local mosque on the outskirts of Jibia Town where they kidnapped some persons.
He said on getting the information, the combined team mounted a pursuit on the bandits, forcing them to abandon most of the hostages while fleeing with an unknown number.
Yerima said the rescued victims had since been reunited with their families while further efforts were ongoing to rescue the others in collaboration with neighbouring military establishments including those of Niger Republic.
He said late night prayers were very common among the Muslim faithful, particularly in the last days of the Holy Ramadan season.
Yerima said the situation in Jibia was under control as reinforcements had since arrived in the area in order to facilitate the rescue efforts.
He advised the local inhabitants to go ahead with their normal business and report any suspicious activity to the security agency nearest to them.
Credit:theconclaveng
