ABUJA, Nigeria -- The death toll from a shooting at a mosque in northwestern Nigeria has risen to 50, a local official said Wednesday. Gunmen stormed the mosque in the town of Unguwan Mantau, in Katsina state, during morning prayers on Tuesday, according to lawmaker Aminu Ibrahim.

Gunmen in north-west Nigeria have stormed a mosque, killing Muslim worshippers in what the local government has called a "reprisal attack". Police in Katsina state said 17 worshippers were shot dead by the assailants - known locally as bandits - but other reports from the region say the death toll is higher.