The residents of Etogi community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State have been thrown into mourning, following the killing of 20 persons in the village by gunmen on Sunday.
The attackers were reported to have swooped on them while they were praying in a mosque, killing everyone, including the imam of the mosque, and leaving some women and children with various degrees of injury.
The incident is believed to be a reprisal after the killing of a herdsman following a disagreement over a piece of land between some Fulani youths and members of the community.
The state police spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident, said the retaliatory attack was unexpected as the issue surrounding the killing of the herdsman had earlier been resolved.
Mr Elkana added that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, while normalcy has been restored to the village.
