At least 16 people are feared dead after raids by gangs of armed men on motorbikes on a remote villages in the north-western state of Zamfara, police in Nigeria said.
Residents in the area say more than 20 bodies have been recovered and those killed include two local traditional leaders.
The authorities and residents say the gunmen came in large numbers on motorbikes and attacked the village on Sunday.
One man who lost seven family members in the attack told the BBC the community was in a state of distress. Hundreds of people have fled the village.
Three more people were killed in a separate attack – also in Zamfara state.
Armed gangs carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom have continued to unleash violence in northern Nigeria despite military bombardments of their hideouts. And in the south of the country, armed separatists have been blamed for an upsurge in deadly attacks – mainly targeting security forces and their facilities.
Source: BBC
