Bandits have killed seven worshippers in a Mosque at Saya-Saya village, in the Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to a source, five of the victims were killed in the mosque, while the other two were killed at different locations within the area.

The incident happened around 8 p.m. on Friday when the villagers were performing Isha’i (Sunset) prayers at a local mosque, according to a local source.

Two other villagers, according to the source, sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Malam Abdulrahaman Yusuf, the village head of the area, confirmed the incident, saying that the head of the vigilante group in the village was among the victims killed inside the mosque.

According to the village head, “We suspected they traced him (the Vigilante boss) to the mosque to attack him. We were inside the mosque praying when they arrived and started shooting. Five people were killed at the mosque, while a driver who brought food items to the village was also killed. The other person was killed in a nearby village.”

He said security agencies comprising soldiers and police from Ikara town and Palgore area arrived at the scene around 12:30 am, saying that by the time the security agents came, the bandits had already left the village.

According to him, one of the victims with gunshot wounds was taken to Aminu Kano Hospital for treatment.

Mansir Alhassan, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, who confirmed the incident, said security personnel had been mobilized to nearby bushes to fish out the perpetrators and ensure normalcy in the area.