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Katsina State, Nigeria — August 20, 2025
At least 50 people have been confirmed dead and approximately 60 others abducted following a brutal attack by armed assailants on a mosque and surrounding homes in Nigeria’s northwest Katsina state, according to local officials and eyewitnesses.
The assault occurred early Tuesday morning in the remote village of Unguwan Mantau, located in the Malumfashi district, as Muslim worshippers gathered for Fajr, the dawn prayer. Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire inside the mosque before moving through the village, setting homes ablaze and abducting residents, including women and girls.
🔍 Details of the Attack
- Time and Location: The attack began around dawn on August 19 in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi Local Government Area.
- Casualties: Aminu Ibrahim, a local lawmaker, stated that at least 30 people were shot dead inside the mosque, while another 20 were burned alive in their homes.
- Abductions: Survivors recounted that dozens of women and girls were forcibly taken by the gunmen. The total number of abductees is estimated at around 60.
- Security Response: Katsina police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed that officers intercepted the attackers and prevented further assaults on neighboring villages. However, the assailants fired on residents and torched homes while fleeing.
🗣️ Eyewitness Accounts
Muhammad Abdullahi, a resident of Unguwan Mantau, described the chaos:
“They started shooting inside the mosque while people were praying. My neighbour was killed. I was lucky I didn’t come out early.”
Fatima Abakar, a hospital official, reported that 27 bodies were registered at the local morgue, though many victims were buried immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.
⚠️ Possible Motive
Katsina’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Mu’azu, suggested the attack may have been a reprisal. Two days prior, villagers reportedly ambushed a group of bandits, killing several and seizing weapons and kidnapped victims from a nearby community.
📍 Context
Northwest Nigeria has experienced a surge in violence in recent years, with armed groups—commonly referred to as “bandits”—targeting rural communities, places of worship, and transportation routes. These groups frequently engage in mass abductions and extortion, despite repeated government efforts to curb their activities.
