At least 19 worshipers have been abducted by a gang of terrorists in the Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness told Channels Television that the hoodlums stormed a mosque located at Maigamji community on Saturday night at about 7:40 pm, whisking away 19 of the worshipers.

The victims were abducted while observing the Muslims’ evening prayers otherwise called “Ishsha’i” when the terrorists invaded the area.

According to the eyewitness, name withheld, the terrorists upon their arrival, shot and wounded the leader of the prayers along with one other worshipper before taking them into the bush.

A combined team of the Police and vigilante initiated a rescue search after the incident and rescued two of the victims while the other four were rescued early Sunday.

The police authorities also confirmed the incident. The police spokesman in Katsina State, SP Gambo Isah, said six out of the nineteen victims kidnapped were rescued.

“It’s true. The terrorists stormed the Mosque at Maigamji while people were observing Ishsha’i prayers,” he added.

“They shot and injured the Imam and one other person. The rescued victims are currently responding to treatment in a hospital. The terrorists also abducted some worshippers that night, but a combined team of the Police and the vigilante rescued two of the victims earlier that night.”

The security operatives also rescued four other victims, making a total of six victims who have been rescued so far.

“Presently, thirteen victims are still in the custody of the terrorists and our operatives are making efforts to ensure that they are rescued unhurt,” the spokesman added.