Nigeria mosque attack: At least 50 killed; gunmen strike during prayers

At least 50 people have been confirmed dead following an armed attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau town, Katsina state, during morning prayers on Tuesday, according to local authorities, reported news agency AP.

Lawmaker Aminu Ibrahim told the state parliament on Wednesday that the assailants not only opened fire at worshippers but also attacked nearby villages.

“The bandits killed 30 people and burnt 20 others during attacks on several villages,” he said, as quoted by the agency.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack so far. However, state officials believe the violence may have been retaliatory. Katsina state commissioner Nasir Mu’azu said the attack could be linked to an incident over the weekend, when townspeople allegedly ambushed and killed several armed gunmen.

Security forces have since been deployed in the area to prevent further violence. Mu’azu added that attackers often exploit the rainy season, hiding among crops on farms to launch surprise assaults.

Northwestern and north-central Nigeria continue to experience frequent and deadly violence, much of it stemming from ongoing conflict between herders and farmers over land use. Tensions have escalated in recent years, with more herders reportedly taking up arms, according to the news agency.

In addition to this localised conflict, Nigeria faces a broader security challenge in the northeast, where Boko Haram insurgents have killed over 35,000 people and displaced more than 2 million, according to UN estimates.