At least 44 worshippers have been shot dead at a mosque in Konduga in the troubled Borno State, North-Eeast Nigeria, reports say.

The killings reportedly took place during prayers yesterday morning, although news only emerged today. Konduga is located 35km away 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.

The portal Daily Post reported that a further 26 people were being treated for injuries in undisclosed hospitals in Maiduguri.

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

There was however no confirmation from either the JointMilitary Task Force or the Special Forces hunting Boko Haram terrorists in the region, where emergency rule imposed montsh ago remains in force.

•Photo: The attack took place despite the presence of Nigerian troops sent to the region to flush out the terrorists.