Nigeria: at least 18 killed in mosque attack

At least 18 people were killed and others wounded on Monday in Nigeria after gunmen on motorbikes attacked a mosque in Maza-Kuka community in Niger state, reports say.

According to eyewitnesses, a large group of assailants stormed the mosque and opened fire as the victims offered morning prayers.

Local police said one of the attackers was killed by security forces.

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Recall that Nigeria faces challenges of insecurity and kidnappings for ransom are frequent. Hundreds of schoolchildren were abducted in Niger state in February.