Northwestern Nigeria has once again been gripped by horrific bloodshed, where armed bandits targeted a mosque and nearby villages, killing at least 50 people.

Several people were burned alive in the incident, while dozens of other worshippers were shot dead.

According to the international news agency, the incident took place on Tuesday, August 19, in the Ungwar Mantaw area of ​​Malum Fashi district of Katsina state, where a mosque was attacked during dawn prayers. Initially, a few deaths were reported, however, local residents and authorities have confirmed that the death toll has risen to 32.

According to resident Nora Musa, 9 people died on the spot, while many of the injured died later. Aminu Ibrahim, a member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, said that 30 people were killed in the attack on the mosque alone, while another 20 people were burned alive in nearby villages. The attackers also raided other settlements, burning houses and kidnapping several people.

The attack came at a time when local village guards retaliated by ambushing a gang of bandits over the weekend. The guards, who had been patrolling the village from dusk to dawn, had gathered at the mosque to pray and rest for a while when the bandits suddenly attacked.

This wave of banditry has been going on in Nigeria for several years, with its roots in disputes between farmers and herdsmen over land and water. Over time, this conflict has developed into organized crime, which includes kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, housebreaking and arson. Lacking a government mandate in rural areas, these groups easily establish their bases and sometimes continue to carry out attacks despite peace agreements.

Some areas have seen a temporary lull after the agreements, such as in Burnan Gori in Kaduna state, but attacks have increased in the neighboring states of Katsina and Niger. According to Ibrahim, a local lawmaker, the situation is now unbearable and people are being forced to leave their villages out of fear.