Armed bandits launched a deadly attack on worshippers in Marnona Village of Wurno local government area of Sokoto state, leaving one person dead and others injured.
The incident, which occurred during prayers has intensified fears in the already volatile Sokoto Eastern axis.
Eyewitnesses reported that the heavily armed assailants stormed the mosque in the early hours, opening fire indiscriminately on worshippers.
The attack sent shockwaves across the community, with residents fleeing for safety.
Sokoto State Police Command was yet to release an official casualty figure or those injured or kidnapped during the attack.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, Hon Isah Sadeeq Achida condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric and an act of cowardice.”
Achida noted that targeting innocent worshipers in a sacred place of prayer was a clear sign of moral bankruptcy by the perpetrators.
“This attack is not only an assault on human lives but also on our collective faith and values. The perpetrators must be brought to justice, and we must remain united as a people to overcome this menace,” Achida said.
He assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, was doing everything possible to curtail acts of banditry in Sokoto and its environs and expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
Security sources said the attackers may have come from camps located in the dense forests bordering Sokoto and Zamfara states, which have become notorious hideouts for armed groups.
The bandits reportedly fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives.
The attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Sokoto East, an area that has witnessed repeated raids, kidnappings, and killings over the past months.
Locals have been calling for increased military presence and a more coordinated response to restore peace.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Meanwhile, as tension remains high in the region as communities brace for possible reprisals or further attacks, security patrols have been intensified, with local vigilante groups working closely with law enforcement agencies to guard vulnerable areas.
