The Federal Government has vowed to hunt down and prosecute the killers of more than 50 worshippers murdered during a mosque attack in Malumfashi, Katsina State.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, he condemned the killings as “a callous and barbaric attack on harmless citizens who had gathered in peace to worship.”

He said security agencies are already pursuing the assailants and will not relent until justice is done.

“No stone will be left unturned until they are apprehended and held accountable for their actions. The Government assures Nigerians that justice will be swift and decisive, and that such acts of terror will never be allowed to take root in the country,” Idris stated.

The Minister conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s condolences to the families of the victims, the people of Malumfashi and the Katsina State Government, noting that the administration shares in their grief and prayed for the repose of the departed.

At least 50 people were confirmed dead after bandits stormed villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area last week.

According to the member representing Malumfashi constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim,
30 worshippers were gunned down during morning prayers, while another 20 were burned alive in their homes.
Idris stressed that the Malumfashi killings come at a time when government forces have been recording breakthroughs against terrorists.

He recalled the recent capture of notorious commanders by the National Counter-Insurgency Centre (NCTC), including Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group, his deputy Abu Abba, and Mahmud Muhammad Usman (Abu Baraa) of the Ansaru group, all of whom had been on the international wanted list.

“These arrests are an indication of the successes being recorded by Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations as directed by President Tinubu, who has made it very clear that acts of terrorism against the Nigerian state and its citizens will soon be a spectre of the past,” Idris said.

Reiterating government’s determination to bring the Malumfashi attackers to justice, the Minister declared: “Those who shed innocent blood will find no hiding place in Nigeria.”