LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen armed with assault rifles attacked a rural village Sunday in northern Nigeria, killing at least 24 people, including worshippers leaving a mosque after prayers before dawn, officials said.

The attack happened in Dogon Dawa, a village deep in the pasturelands of Kaduna state where police and security forces maintain only a light presence. Police and soldiers also cut off access to the region Sunday, limiting the response of aid agencies.