Bandits kill Chief Imam, abduct scores in Zamfara community

Bandits have once again attacked Zamfara State, killing Sheikh Ahmad Rufa’i, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in Keita village, Tsafe Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

The attack occurred shortly after Muslims observed the isha’i (night) congregational prayer.

This tragic incident comes just three weeks after the murder of Imam Abubakar Hassan Mada, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in Mada, Gusau LGA.

According to Ibrahim Musa Keita, a resident of Keita village, the bandits were initially spotted along the Kwarin Gano-Keita Road.

Despite residents being alerted of their presence, the bandits proceeded to invade the village.

After failing to abduct road users, they attacked Keita village, killing the chief imam and abducting scores of people, including women.

“Before the invasion, the residents were alerted about the movement of the bandits along Kwarin Gano-Keita Road.

Despite residents being alerted of their presence, the bandits proceeded to invade the village.

After failing to abduct road users, they attacked Keita village, killing the chief imam and abducting scores of people, including women.

“Before the invasion, the residents were alerted about the movement of the bandits along Kwarin Gano-Keita Road.

“They were sighted along that road but we were not sure whether they would come to this village or not.

“Initially, they wanted to abduct road users along the Keita-Kwarin Gano Road, but after spending some time without getting a single person, they invaded Keita village, killed our chief imam and abducted scores of people, including women.

“We have not ascertained the number of people they have abducted as some people ran into the bush and have not been seen yet.” He stated.

In a separate incident, two individuals were abducted in Magazu village, Tsafe LGA, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The bandits, according to a resident, Yusuf Ibrahim, invaded the village around 3am, shooting sporadically.

Ibrahim added that most residents fled their homes.

Another resident, Aminu Kwalfada, of Kwalfada village, lamented that the fear of bandits has forced residents to stop using loudspeakers in mosques during prayers.

ASP. Abubakar Yazid, the Police Public Relations Officer for Zamfara State Command, could not provide details at the time of reporting but promised to share information as soon as it became available.