The Zamfara State Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Maikaba, has revealed the identities of the cleric and worshippers who were killed at a mosque on Friday morning.

The bandits struck at the worship place in Yantodon Daji village of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

CP Maikaba said bandits have resolved to be attacking places of worship to attract public attention.

“We believe the bandits deployed this method of operation just to draw the attention of the public. They have witnessed the reactions of the public when a mosque was attacked in Malumfashi local government area of Katsina state and that is why they did it here in Zamfara,” he said.

“They invaded the mosque when worshippers were conducting morning prayer and started shooting sporadically, thereby killing Imam and four other people.

“They also abducted three persons and took them to an unknown destination.

“However, it was traced further and confirmed that the Bandits Kingpin Bakin Malam and his loyalists of Makera axis were responsible for this attack.

Maikaba gave the names of the deceased victims as Sale Dangero, 75, Mamman Yaro, 72, Mallam Lawali Bataribas, 67, Mallam Jafaru, a rtd ASP, 68 and Mallam Safiyanu, 55.

He also identified the abducted persons as Danyaye Alhaji Gambo, Mallam Basiru and Ibrahim Bello. (Weekend Trust)