Suspected terrorists on motorcycles attacked two churches, the Maranatha Baptist Church and the St. Moses Catholic Church, in Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, early on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred less than a week after 32 villagers were killed when militants in a helicopter invaded communities in the same Kajuru LGA.
The state authorities confirmed the attack but disputed the bandits’ use of helicopters, claiming that the aircraft was on a rescue mission.
Sunday’s attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of three worshippers and the abductions of several others, when a huge number of attackers descended upon places of worship.
According to a source, the terrorists shot indiscriminately as they approached the various churches, killing three while several others sustained injuries.
“Three of the worshippers were gunned down by the terrorists and many are still missing. One of the victims was taken to St. Gerald Catholic Hospital in the state capital,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has confirmed the attacks on the two churches on Sunday.
The Commissioner in a statement noted that based on security reports made available to the state government, the bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa, and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru LGA.
He also said the terrorists looted some shops while valuable items were carted away.
According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
He added that in Rubu village, the terrorists attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.
The Commissioner gave the identities of the worshippers killed to include Peter Madaki (Ward head of Ungwan Fada), Elisha Ezekiel (Resident of Ungwan Fada), and Ali Zamani (Youth leader of Rubu).
He said two worshippers were injured by the marauding terrorists and gave their identities to include one Aniro Mai, and a yet-to-be-identified woman while adding that “an unspecified number of locals were also kidnapped, according to the received reports.”
The statement titled, ‘Bandits attack worshippers, locals, Kill three and injure two in Kajuru LGA,’ said, “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru local government area.
“According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
“In Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.
“Two persons were left injured in the attacks; one Aniro Mai, and a yet-unidentified woman. An unspecified number of locals were also kidnapped, according to the received reports.
“The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.”
He quoted the acting Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe to have expressed deep sadness and condemned the attack in the strongest terms when she received the report.
“She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls,” the commissioner added.
