Some yet-to-be identified gunmen reportedly invaded a mosque in Ruwan Jema community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, during Juma’at service on Friday killing 15 worshippers.

An eyewitness, Ahmed Bukkuyum said, “They came to the mosque on motorcycles but nobody suspected that they were bandits. We thought they came to observe the weekly prayers, during the prayer they opened fire on the worshippers.

Another resident Usman Lawal, who spoke with Daily Trust said, “When they laid siege, the armed criminals stormed the mosque when the worshippers were observing Juma’at prayer. We were observing the last Rakaat when suddenly they started firing. Pandemonium broke out as everyone was running for dear life.

Lawal added that, “They opened fire on the worshippers, killing at least 15 people on the spot. Dozens of others were also injured in a stampede. The armed criminals also killed a number of residents they found in the surrounding bushes.

“The remains of the residents are being picked from the farms and their funeral prayer was slated for evening today. Bodies are still being picked from forest. Some of the injured victims are responding to treatments in medical facilities in Zamfara and neighbouring Sokoto state.”

Before this attack, gunmen had three weeks ago attacked a mosque in Zugu community, Gummi Local Government Area of the state and abducted some worshippers.