THE Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed that eight worshippers were abducted during early morning prayers in Gidan Turbe, Tsafe Local Government Area.
Those taken include Liman Yahaya, Dan Garfi, Malam Damu, Bello Natsuhuwa, Yakubu Isa, Audu Minista, Yaquba Ado, and Sabi Usman.
This clarification follows an earlier online report which claimed that as many as 40 worshippers had been kidnapped.
In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar dismissed the inflated figures, stressing that eight individuals were abducted.
According to Abubakar, the attack occurred at about 5:07 a.m. on Monday, September 15, when armed bandits stormed the Gidan Turbe community.
He assured that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, are working to secure the safe release of the victims.
“We urge the public and the media to verify information from official sources before dissemination so as not to cause unnecessary panic,” Abubakar added.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, appealing to residents to remain calm and promptly report any suspicious activities.
The incident comes amid a rise in attacks on places of worship across northern Nigeria.
Just last month, there was a deadly assault on a mosque in Lafiagi, Kwara State, where one worshipper was killed.