At least 27 people were killed and several others wounded when armed assailants stormed a mosque in Katsina State, northern Nigeria, during early morning prayers. The attack occurred on Monday around 04:00 GMT in the remote village of Unguwan Mantau, located in the Malumfashi local government area.
Witnesses say the gunmen opened fire on worshippers gathered for prayers, leaving the community in shock and mourning. No group has claimed responsibility, but such violent raids have become increasingly frequent in Nigeria’s northwestern and north-central regions, where tensions between herders and farmers over land and water access often erupt into bloodshed.
The incident follows a string of deadly attacks, including one in June in Benue State that claimed over 100 lives. Amnesty International condemned the violence, urging Nigerian authorities to end what it described as “almost daily bloodshed” in the region.
Analysts warn that the conflict is escalating, with more herdsmen reportedly taking up arms. The violence has grown more intense in recent years, contributing to widespread insecurity and displacement.
In response to the latest massacre, Katsina State Commissioner Nasir Mu’azu confirmed that military and police forces have been deployed to Unguwan Mantau to prevent further violence. He noted that attackers often exploit the rainy season by hiding in farmland to launch surprise assaults on vulnerable communities.
