Gunmen suspected to be members of the notorious Lakurawa gang launched a brutal attack on Zagami village in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Sunday.
The assailants stormed a church service, abducting multiple Christian worshippers.
The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, opened fire sporadically during the morning worship, creating chaos and panic among the congregants.
They then abducted an undisclosed number of people, forcibly taking them into the nearby forest.
One of the survivors, Mr. Ezekiel Danjuma, narrowly escaped the ordeal and described the harrowing experience.
He said the gunmen came in large numbers, surrounding the church before launching their deadly assault.
“They came suddenly, in large numbers, and before we knew what was happening, they had already encircled the entire church,” Danjuma said.
At the time of filing this report, the exact number of abducted individuals had not been confirmed, and security operatives were yet to make any official statement regarding the incident.
The attack adds to the growing wave of insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted communities, schools, and places of worship.
Residents are calling for urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities to restore peace and ensure the safe return of those taken.
“It was terrifying. They came shooting and forced their way into the church. Some of us managed to escape through the back, but they took many people with them,” Danjuma said.
The incident has sparked fear and mourning in Zagami, a quiet farming community in the Kebbi South Senatorial District, which comprises seven local government areas: Danko/Wasagu, Fakai, Ngaski, Sakaba, Shanga, Yauri, and Zuru.
As of the time of filing this report, police authorities were yet to issue an official statement.
Residents are, however, calling on the Kebbi State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees and strengthen security in the region to prevent further attacks.
