The death toll from Tuesdayâs dawn terror attack on worshippers at Unguwan Mantau community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State has risen to 32.
The assailants, identified as bandits, stormed the community mosque at about 5 a.m. while residents were observing Fajr prayers.
They opened fire on the worshippers in what officials described as a reprisal assault.
Earlier reports had put the number of dead at 13. However, during a condolence visit to the community on Wednesday by a state government delegation, it was confirmed that 32 people had lost their lives, while an unverified number of residents were abducted.
Some of the kidnapped victims were later rescued following a swift air strike by the Nigerian Air Force, which disrupted the attackersâ movement. Others scattered in the ensuing confusion and are now receiving treatment in hospitals.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who is currently on medical leave, directed the acting Governor, Mallam Faruk Jobe, to dispatch a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the families of the deceased.
The team, led by Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, was received in Karfi town by traditional leaders and grieving relatives.
Describing the killings as âdeeply painful and heartbreaking,â Faskari assured the community that the state government would intensify security operations to bring the perpetrators to justice.
âOur hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless attack. This administration remains committed to working with all security agencies to prevent such tragedies in the future,â he said.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muâazu, said the incident followed a confrontation days earlier when residents of Ruwan Sanyi village ambushed bandits, killed several of them, rescued kidnapped victims, and seized weapons and motorcycles.
âThe reprisal occurred while the community was observing morning prayers. The criminals started shooting sporadically inside the mosque,â Muâazu explained.
He disclosed that military and police reinforcements had since been deployed, while aerial and ground operations were ongoing to pursue the attackers.
âThe bandits often hide under crops during the rainy season to commit their evil acts. We are working with security agencies to flush them out,â the commissioner added.
Muâazu commended the courage of residents who resisted the criminals, describing their action as an act of gallantry. He stressed that the government remained committed to community-based security initiatives and would continue to support victimsâ families.
The condolence delegation also included Dr. Nasir Muâazu, the Commissioner for Internal Security; senior aides on community watch and victims of banditry; the Malumfashi lawmaker in the state House of Assembly; the council chairman; and heads of security agencies, including the Police Commissioner, the Commander of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the DSS Director, and the NSCDC Commandant.
The Katsina State Government reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and protecting lives across the state, noting that immediate support had been extended to the victimsâ families while a comprehensive damage assessment was underway.
