At least 50 people were killed in an attack on a mosque in Nigeria’s Katsina state Tuesday morning. Local officials said gunmen stormed the mosque in Unguwan Mantau during dawn prayers.
Initial reports put the death toll at 27. By evening it had climbed to 50. Dozens of others were wounded. Around 60 worshippers were abducted during the assault, according to residents and local leaders.
The attackers struck at about 04:00 GMT. They opened fire inside the mosque and set nearby homes on fire. Aminu Ibrahim, a lawmaker for Malumfashi constituency, said at least 30 were shot dead and another 20 burned alive. Hospital staff later confirmed more bodies had been brought in.
No group has claimed responsibility. Nigerian authorities have not issued a formal statement. Security forces have also not confirmed if any arrests were made.
Katsina, which borders Niger, has faced repeated violence by armed groups referred to locally as bandits. They target villages, schools, and religious sites across the northwest. Poor road access and the remoteness of many communities leave them exposed.
Local officials say the mosque attack is among the deadliest assaults on a religious site this year. Community leaders are still trying to account for those abducted. Families remain in shock.
Security forces have launched an investigation, but there has been no word on rescue operations. The whereabouts of the missing remain unknown.
