Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning as suspected bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau village, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 13 worshippers during dawn (Fajr) prayers.
Naijaonpoint reports that the attackers invaded the mosque around 5 a.m. and opened fire on the congregation. The worshippers, who had gathered for prayers, were caught unawares as the gunmen shot indiscriminately.
Confirming the incident, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, described the assault as “a reprisal attack” linked to a recent ambush staged by villagers against a bandit group in the area.
“The victims were observing prayers when the criminals started shooting sporadically,” Mu’azu explained. He said that in the earlier confrontation, villagers killed several bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, and seized weapons from the gang.
According to the Commissioner, troops of the army, police and air force had been deployed to the community to restore order. He further noted that bandits often exploit the rainy season, using tall crops as cover to launch surprise attacks on villages.
The state government commended the courage of residents in resisting criminal gangs but urged closer coordination with security operatives to prevent further bloodshed. Mu’azu assured that additional reinforcements would be sent to protect vulnerable farming communities.
Katsina, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has remained one of the epicentres of banditry in Nigeria’s North-West. Armed groups continue to carry out mass abductions, deadly raids and extortion despite sustained military operations in the region.
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