Boko Haram Guns Down Nearly 100 During Evening Prayers in Nigeria

Authorities in Nigeria reported Thursday that the Boko Haram terror group reportedly gunned down 97 victims Wednesday evening as they participated in evening prayers at local mosques.

The attack reportedly took place Wednesday evening in the northeastern Nigerian city of Kukawa, when gunmen entered multiple local mosques and gunned down worshippers who were participating in a prayer ahead of breaking their fast for Ramadan.

Witnesses of the attack have relayed the horror of Wednesday night to media outlets.

"The attackers have killed at least 97 people," a man from Kukawa identified as Kolo told AFP.

"They wiped out the immediate family of my uncle [...] They killed his children, about five of them, and set his entire house ablaze," Kolo added.

A self-defense official based near Kukawa told the Associated Press that the terror group also attacked the village of Mussaram on Tuesday evening, separating men from women and ultimately killing a total of 48 males.

"A total of 48 males died on the spot while 17 others escaped with serious injuries," Maidugu Bida, a self-defense official for Monguno, told the media outlet.

Another local resident in Kukawa told The Nation of the scene when Boko Haram gunmen entered the village and began shooting an locals finishing their evening prayer.

"We started hearing gunshots from nowhere all over the town. The terrorists surrounded the town shooting sporadically on the residents. Confusion and panic took over the town as people began to run for their lives to unknown destination confused," local Aji Bukar said.

"As I speak to you, some of the corpses were still not buried. People are afraid to come out. The entire village is deserted. Elders in town were afraid the attackers may return which is delaying the burial of the dead bodies scattered over the tow," he added.