The Niger State Police Command has adduced reasons for the killing of 18 persons by gunmen inside a mosque while worshipping at Maza-Kuka in Mashegu Local Government Area of the State.
The worshippers, according to available information on Monday, where shot dead in the early hours of the day.
The gunmen had stormed the community on motorcycles, went to the mosque where the victims were performing their morning prayers (Subhi) and started shooting sporadically.
They were also said to have abducted no fewer than 17 persons.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas, adduced it to communal feud.
Kuryas said: “On October 25, 2021, around 5.30am, some unknown gunmen stormed and attacked Mazakuka village while people were praying at the mosque, killing an unspecified number of worshipers and kidnapping seven other residents.
“The gunmen later destroyed property worth millions of naira belonging to one Alhaji Abubakar Maigandus in the village.”
The CP revealed that one of the gunmen was, however, shot dead by security operatives, adding that the attack was a reprisal due to a long-standing communal feud.
Kuryas urged residents to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the crime.
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