Bandits in the early hours of Saturday launched a deadly attack on worshippers observing the Subh prayer in Kiba Ruwa, a community in the Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to local sources who spoke with Egbe Mekun Parrots, the assailants stormed the mosque at dawn, opening fire on the congregants.
Two people including the imam who was leading the prayer were confirmed dead.
Several worshippers were also abducted during the assault, with the exact number yet to be verified.
Security agencies have reportedly been alerted, while residents remain in a state of fear as search and rescue efforts begin.
In neighbouring Kebbi State, bandits weeks ago attacked the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, where 26 schoolgirls were abducted.
All soldiers previously stationed at the school had been summoned to Abuja for interrogation as part of efforts to determine why the security post was vacated shortly before the attack.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi, expressed alarm over what he described as the “withdrawal of military personnel” from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits stormed the facility and abducted several students.
The governor said the situation was particularly disturbing because the state had earlier received intelligence warning of a possible attack and had immediately convened a security meeting to address the threat.
“As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting,” NAN quoted the governor as saying.
“The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school.
“The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3am, and by 3:45am, the incident happened.”
Idris also said the state had demanded a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of troops.
“Who authorised the military to withdraw?” How did security personnel pull out at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order,” the governor said.
The Maga District Head, Muhammad Dantani, also raised serious concerns over the role of the Nigerian military in the recent attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, where armed bandits killed a staff member and abducted 25 students.
