Gunmen have kidnapped twenty-one prospective pilgrims on their way to the permanent Hajj camp for airlift to Mecca in Sokoto State.
The pilgrims from Isa local government were whisked away by gunmen yesterday night from Gundumi village.
According to The Nation, incident left families, friends and relatives of the intending pilgrims in shock and grief.
Permanent Secretary, State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Shehu Muhammad Dange, said the pilgrims were kidnapped along with family members and a security escort attached to them.
The state police spokesman said he was not aware of the development as he was attending a seminar in Kano but a statement by Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isah Bajini Galadanci, confirmed the incident.
Bajini also said, “All the 21 intending pilgrims, relatives and the escort have been rescued. They have been received by government officials and are set awaiting their flight schedule for airlift to Saudi Arabia”, he confirmed.
