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No fewer than 18 persons have been reportedly killed by gunmen at Maza-Kuka in the Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources in the community said the gunmen, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the community on motorcycles and went to a mosque where the victims were performing their morning prayers (Subhi).
Findings by The Punch showed that the attackers shot the victims at close range inside the mosque, killing many worshippers and leaving others injured.
“We are surprised, confused and shocked by this attack,” an indigene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
He noted that while nobody could tell the actual number of casualties because many ran into the bush for safety, 18 corpses had been found.
The source confirmed that the local government chairman and his team were already in the community to sympathise and commiserate with residents.
The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas, confirmed the incident.
He said, “On October 25, 2021, around 5.30am, some unknown gunmen stormed and attacked Mazakuka village while people were praying at the mosque, killing an unspecified number of worshipers and kidnapping seven other residents.
“The gunmen later destroyed property worth millions of naira belonging to one Alhaji Abubakar Maigandus in the village.”
The police commissioner, however, said security agencies also shot one of the bandits dead.
He added that the attack was a reprisal due to a long-standing communal feud.
The commissioner urged residents to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the crime.
