No fewer than 18 persons were reportedly killed in the early hours of Monday by armed gunmen at Maza-Kuka in Mashegu Local Government area of Niger State.
The armed men in their numbers stormed the community and went straight to the mosque while the victims were performing their morning prayers (Subhi).
They reportedly attacked them with their dangerous weapons that include arms, ammunition, sharp objects and others.
According to findings, the attackers shot sporadically on the victims at close range inside the mosque leading to the death of scores leaving many others injured.
It was further gathered that seven worshippers were abducted.
Sources told TGNews that the armed men came on motorbikes to carry out the attack on the villagers.
According to an indigene of the community who didn’t want his names in print, “we are surprised, confused and shocked over the attack”.
The source added that they could not ascertain the actual casualties as of now because many people had run into the bush for dear life, noting that about 17 to 18 corpses were later found.
He confirmed that the local government chairman and his team were already in the community to sympathise with the people.
When contacted, the Niger State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached as his phone line was not going through.
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