44 worshippers shot dead at Nigerian mosque

August 13, 2013

News emerged yesterday that Boko Haram Islamists are suspected to have killed 44 worshippers during dawn prayers early Sunday morning in the small town of in Nigeria. The attacks were believed to be a revenge on citizen vigilante groups forming to help the government battle Islamist extremists and occurred 35km from the state capital Maiduguri.

A further 26 people are being treated for severe injuries. Boko Haram's insurgency has killed at least 3,600 people since 2009, including killings by security forces.

In recent weeks the military has encouraged the formation of vigilante groups to help locate and arrest members of Boko Haram. Boko Haram has attacked churches and mosques. A video has been released where Boko Haram's leader takes responsibility for the attacks.