Armed men killed at least 50 people in a dawn attack on villages in Katsina State, Nigeria. The assault began inside a mosque where residents had gathered for morning prayers. Witnesses said the attackers stormed in and opened fire on worshippers before escaping.
According to local accounts, several young men had kept night watch in their villages to guard against raids. At dawn they went to the mosque to join other residents for prayers. While the congregation was praying, armed bandits entered and shot at them without warning. Survivors said the gunmen fired rapidly, killing and injuring many inside the mosque, then moved to nearby houses.
The attack left entire families devastated. Villagers fled into the bush, while homes were set ablaze and livestock stolen. Community leaders reported that bodies were still being recovered and the death toll might rise further. Many injured people remain without proper medical care because of limited facilities in the rural area.
Local residents said at least three villages were targeted in the attack. The assailants, riding motorcycles and carrying assault rifles, continued their assault after leaving the mosque, spreading terror across the settlements. The raid has displaced hundreds of people who are now seeking shelter in nearby towns.
Authorities have confirmed the killings and deployed more troops to the affected region. The state government condemned the attack and pledged to strengthen security patrols. Humanitarian groups urged immediate support for survivors, warning of growing food shortages and trauma among displaced families.
The massacre in Katsina follows a pattern of violence in northern Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly attacked farming communities, mosques, and marketplaces. Similar assaults earlier this year in Zamfara and Sokoto states killed dozens. Despite military operations, the region remains vulnerable.
Human rights advocates have pressed the federal government to provide stronger protection for rural populations. Analysts note that the attacks are weakening local economies, displacing thousands, and deepening insecurity in the northwest.
In Katsina, grief has spread through the villages as families bury their loved ones. Survivors remain fearful of new attacks. One community elder said, “Our people were praying in peace when the bandits struck. We need urgent help and lasting security.”
