Gunmen kill 44 at Nigeria mosque

At least 44 worshippers have been shot dead at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, officials say.

The killings took place during dawn prayers on Sunday morning, although news only emerged on Monday.

The attack occurred in Konduga in Borno state, 35km (22 miles) from the state capital Maiduguri.

It is not clear who was responsible for the shootings. The Islamist group Boko Haram has killed thousands in northern Nigeria since 2009.

Nigeria's Daily Post reported that a further 26 people were being treated for injuries in hospital in Maiduguri.

A member of a civilian vigilante group told the Associated Press that four of their number were killed when they responded to calls for help.

Twelve further civilians were killed at Ngom village, closer to Maiduguri, reports say.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states in May as it fights Islamist militants.

Boko Haram wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state in the north.

News of the attacks came as a video emerged of the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, claiming responsibility for recent attacks in Bama and Malam Fatori.