20 kidnapped in Zamfara

The gunmen invaded the mosque about 2pm on Friday during the congressional prayer.

The imam was among the abductees.

It was gathered that the bandits waited until the worshippers were listening attentively to the imam’s sermon before swooping on them.

The bandits marched the abductees to the bush where they were all screened, with the kidnappers reading out the targeted names from a list to ensure that they got the people they wanted,” a source said..

“They selected 20 persons that were specially listed for the abduction,” the source said.

It was gathered that five persons were killed after the screening, while 20 abductees were taken away.

An undetermined number of persons were injured in the attack.

Police spokesman Muhammad Shehu said five persons were abducted, and two killed, adding that security

In Kaduna State, some armed men early on Monday invaded Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) staff quarters, Zaria and abducted a member of staff, his wife and their daughter.

Nine students of the university, kidnapped last week Sunday, regained freedom barely 24 hours earlier.

The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying that security operatives engaged the kidnappers in exchange of fire.

The university officials’ wife and daughter were later released, Umar said, adding that the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has been informed of the incident.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Kabir Bala urged the university community to be vigilant, Umar said.