The mosque attack was carried out by members of a criminal gang in the city of Unguwar Mantau in the state of Katsina on Tuesday. The attack took place during the morning prayer and 30 people were killed, according to the local politician Aminu Ibrahim.
–They burned to death another 20 people during attacks on several villages, he says and adds that several people were also kidnapped.
The attack on the mosque is said to have been a revenge for the fact that a local militia had previously attacked the "bandits", and took place while members of the militia participated in the prayer.
Villages in the countryside in northwestern Nigeria have been exposed to violent attacks by armed groups for several years. Entering into "peace agreements" with them has in some places temporarily solved the problem, but has not helped in Katsina where the violence has increased.
