Thirteen worshippers were on Tuesday morning killed when armed bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, during dawn (Fajr) prayers.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, who confirmed the incident, described it as a reprisal attack by the assailants after members of the community reportedly killed several bandits in an ambush two days earlier.
According to Muazu, the attackers stormed the mosque around 5:00 a.m., shooting sporadically at worshippers while prayers were ongoing.
“The criminals struck in retaliation. Two days ago, the people of Unguwan Mantau laid an ambush against the bandits and killed many of them. This morning, the bandits invaded the mosque while people were observing Fajr prayers and opened fire, killing 13,” he said.
The commissioner noted that security forces, including the air component of the Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Nigeria Police, had since been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks and to track down the assailants.
He added that the bandits often take advantage of the rainy season to hide in farms and under thick crops while launching attacks on unsuspecting villagers.
“We are working to bring the perpetrators to justice. As a government, we salute the gallantry of Unguwan Mantau residents, but we also urge communities to cooperate with security agencies to ensure lasting peace,” he stated.
The state government expressed condolences to the bereaved families and pledged continued support for community-based security initiatives aimed at curbing banditry across Katsina.
Katsina, which shares a border with Niger Republic, has in recent years remained one of the hotbeds of banditry in the North-West, with frequent attacks on villages, highways, and places of worship.
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