Fear As Unknown Gunmen Storm Mosque In Delta

There was tension on Friday morning in Ughelli, Delta state after unknown gunmen stormed a mosque, leaving 11 worshippers with degrees of injuries.

Reports made available to newsmen said the assailants stormed the mosque around 7 AM when some Muslim faithful were holding their morning prayers at the Central Mosque, located along Okoroda street in Ughelli.

A source who spoke to Vanguard Newspaper, Larry, said many residents were jolted from their sleep by gunshots followed by loud cries from people inside the mosque.

“My name is Larry, I am a commercial vehicle driver here in Ughelli. I live very close to the central mosque, so this morning at about 6.45 am we heard a shooting at the mosque.

“Because of fear, many people in my compound were frightened and we remained inside only peeping through our windows.

“As the shooting lasted, we heard loud cries from some worshippers inside the mosque,” Larry said.

Residents according to him immediately rushed to the mosque in their numbers to see what happened after the gunmen had left.

He said residents helped to evacuate injured worshippers, adding that those that survived the attack suffered severe injuries.

Larry disclosed further that at least three worshippers were whisked away by the gunmen.

Confirming the attack, the Delta State police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, said that only 11 worshippers were injured in the attack.

He, however, could not confirm the abduction of three worshippers.

“I just called the DPO at Ughelli and he confirmed to me that 11 persons were injured in the attack at the mosque.

“However, the police have commenced an investigation into the incident and we will update you as we work to unravel the culprits.

“For now, no arrest has been made but I can assure you that we will get those involved,” Edafe said.