Gunmen Kill 13 Worshippers In Katsina Mosque Attack

Thirteen worshippers have been killed after gunmen attacked a mosque in Unguwan Mantau community, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack happened on Tuesday morning while residents were observing the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

In a statement, Katsina Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, said the killings were a reprisal by bandits after community members ambushed and lynched several of them two days earlier. According to him, villagers had seized three motorcycles, recovered two AK-47 rifles, and rescued kidnap victims from Ruwan Sanyi village during the earlier confrontation.

“The incident occurred when criminal elements launched a reprisal attack on the community. The Muslim members of the community were praying in the mosque during the Fajr prayer when the criminals started shooting sporadically,” Mu’azu said.

He noted that security agencies, including the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base and the police, had been deployed to restore order and flush out the attackers.

The commissioner praised the courage of residents in resisting criminal elements but assured that the state government remained committed to combating banditry. He added that condolences had been extended to the families of those killed.