Six worshippers remain in captivity after gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked a mosque during Taraweeh prayers in Azara community, Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, and demanded N30 million for their release. The abduction came at night as residents gathered for Ramadan prayers, deepening security fears in the locality.
Community sources said the attackers stormed the area, firing shots into the air to scare residents before abducting six people from inside the mosque. Four of the victims were men and two were women. As the gunmen fled, they also raided another house and seized two additional people, but those two escaped while being led into the bush, a community source said.
A local leader who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the six names as Saifullahi Harisu, Yakubu Yunusa, Abba Minkailu, Yusha’u Sadiku, Maryam Abdullahi and Aisha Yakubu. He said the kidnappers contacted the community after the abduction and demanded N30 million for the release of the victims.
Attempts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, with the spokesperson, ASP Hassan Mansur, not answering his phone as of the time of filing. Families and neighbours in Azara are awaiting news of any rescue or negotiation, and the incident leaves Kachia residents facing heightened anxiety during the holy month as the community seeks information and safety assurances.
