Gunmen on Friday stormed a Friday mosque in the village of Dutsin Gari in Kanoma, Zamfara State and abducted about 40 worshipers and an Imam.
The village, known for its Sugarcane farming, has been hit by militant attacks in the recent past.
Sources in the village told revealed that the attackers who came on more than 100 motorcycles killed 5 worshipers and injured several others.
Sources said the shots fired by the gunmen as they arrived at the mosque on Friday sparked turmoil forcing the cleric to cut off prayers abruptly.
The gunmen abducted Mallam Yahaya and about 40 people on motorcycles into the bush.
A resident of the village, Sani Kanoma claimed the imam and some worshipers were released later on Saturday.
Mr Kanoma said it appeared the gunmen had come to kidnap very wealthy Sugarcane farmers who pay millions of naira in ransom.
When contacted, Zamfara police spokesman Mohammed Shehu said he would provide details on the incident on Sunday.
