Abuja, November 23: Nigerian police on Sunday confirmed that five worshippers were killed and 18 others abducted when gunmen attacked a congregational mosque in the country's northwestern state of Zamfara.

The incident occurred on Friday in the Dutsen Gari community of Maru local government area in Zamfara, police spokesman Muhammad Shehu told Xinhua. Also Read | First Session of Newly Constituted Bihar Legislative Assembly to Begin From Today: Live Breaking News Headlines Updates on November 23, 2020.

An imam of the mosque was among those kidnapped by the gunmen who disguised as congregants and later began to shoot at the worshippers, killing two instantly. Three others died while receiving treatment at the hospital, Shehu said. Also Read | US President-Elect Joe Biden to Announce His Cabinet Picks on November 24, Says Ron Klain.

Witnesses told Xinhua that the gunmen rode into the community on motorbikes, but disguised as guest worshippers. They fled through a nearby bush after the attack.

The police had immediately deployed more operatives to the area, in search of the fleeing gunmen, Shehu told Xinhua. Banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities have recently become rampant in Nigeria's northwest region.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)