The Nigerian Army says, its troops of 17 Brigade in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have mounted a pursuit on the bandits, forcing them to abandon most of the hostages while fleeing with an unknown number.
Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Mohammed Yerima made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said security forces in Kastina averted a planned attack by armed bandits on Magama Central Mosque in Jibia LGA of Katsina State where several locals had gone to observe the late-night Ramadan prayers.
He explained that the incident which occurred in the early morning hours of 10 May 2021 witnessed a large number of bandits who came firing sporadically in an attempt to disrupt the prayers and abduct innocent worshippers were forced to withdraw in disarray as they were met with overwhelming firepower from a combined team comprising troops and police personnel who were tactically deployed in the town following earlier Intelligence received on the planned attack.
He added that while the troops maintained vigilance to forestall a further attack on the mosque, the fleeing criminals whose main intent was not actualised while retreating decided to raid a local mosque at the outskirts of Jibia Town where they kidnapped some persons.
"The rescued victims have since been reunited with their families while further efforts are ongoing to rescue the others in collaboration with neighbouring military establishments including those of Niger Republic," Yerima said.
"Late-night prayers are very common among the Muslim faithful particularly in the last days of the Holy Ramadan season. The situation in Jibia is under control as reinforcements have since arrived the area in order to facilitate the rescue efforts", he added.
The Nigerian Army advised the local inhabitants to go ahead with their normal business and report any suspicious activity to the security agency nearest to them.
