‘Drugged’ attacker kills sheikh, injures two worshipers at North Darfur Friday prayers

A 70-year-old sheikh was stabbed to death, and two other worshipers were wounded, in a frenzied knife attack in Saraf Omra, North Darfur, during prayers on Friday.

Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that the alleged attacker, named as Shihabeldin Joda, seemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he lashed-out during Friday prayers. He allegedly stabbed Sheikh Haroun Saleh to death and injured two other people who were transferred to hospital,” the witness said. The residents of Saraf Omra condemned the spread of illegal drugs and they described the area as a distribution centre for smuggled drugs. “Most of the drugs that are smuggled from neighbouring countries first come to Saraf Omra and then distributed to other places in Sudan,” a resident said.

The residents appealed to the authorities to reinforce security in the area and establish a special police unit to combat illegal drugs.

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