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- 16 worshippers have been killed at a mosque in Nigeria.
- Gunmen on bikes opened fireplace throughout prayers.
- The motive is unclear.
Gunmen have killed 16 worshippers at a mosque in central Nigeria, a authorities official mentioned on Tuesday, within the newest violence within the restive area.
Scores of gunmen on bikes stormed Maza-Kuka village in Mashegu district of Niger state on Monday and opened fireplace throughout morning prayers, mentioned Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, the secretary to the federal government.
Matane mentioned:
The bandits shot useless 16 folks contained in the mosque whereas they have been praying.
Three worshippers have been injured within the assault, certainly one of them critically, he added.
READ | Gunmen assault Nigeria jail, free dozens of inmates: Official
Matane mentioned one different individual was killed in close by Kaboji village because the gunmen fled the realm.
“We’re nonetheless investigating the motive of the assault and we’ve despatched navy and police personnel to the realm,” he mentioned.
A police spokesperson confirmed the assault however didn’t present particulars.
Gangs of cattle thieves and kidnappers for ransom recognized regionally as bandits have been terrorising communities in northwest and central Nigeria the place they raid villages, killing and burning houses after looting them.
Though they’re pushed by monetary motive, the gangs have been infiltrated by jihadists waging greater than a decade-old insurgency within the northeast.
Residents in a number of communities in Niger state have currently reported an inflow of fighters from the northeast who’ve been taking on distant villages.
The gangs have more and more been abducting college students and schoolchildren to extort ransom from dad and mom and authorities.
Greater than 1 000 college students have been kidnapped since December, however most have been launched after negotiations with their captors.
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