Armed with AK47 rifles, they locked the congregation inside the building, detonated bombs, and then shot and cut the throats of those who tried to escape. The militants then went on a four-hour rampage in the village. They burnt down homes and seized residents, including women, children and the elderly, as hostages; some of them were later killed. Around 53 people from Wada Chakawa are reported to have died, with dozens more being wounded.