Gunmen in Nigeria have killed dozens of people and kidnapped a number of children in separate attacks in two northern states, police and residents said on Sunday, the latest incidents in a region dogged by armed violence.
Armed gangs on motorbikes frequently take advantage of thinly stretched security forces in the region to kidnap villagers, motorists and students for ransom.
Residents said armed men had attacked Janbako and Sakkida villages in northwestern Zamfara state on Saturday, killing 24 people. The gunmen also abducted several children who were collecting firewood in a forest in neighbouring Gora village. Hussaini Ahmadu and Abubakar Maradun, local residents in Janbako and Sakkida, told Reuters by phone that the gangs had earlier in the week demanded villagers pay a fee to enable them to farm their fields, but villagers did not do so.
Zamfara police spokesman Yazid Abubakar confirmed the attacks but said only 13 people had been reported killed and nine young boys and girls kidnapped. In north central Benue state, gunmen killed 25 people and set their houses on fire during an attack on Saturday on the Imande Mbakange community, two residents said. The motive of the attack was not known.Reporting by Ardo Hazzad in Baucih and Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by David Holmes
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gunmen kill dozens, kidnap children in Nigeria's Zamfara stateGunmen in northern Nigeria kill dozens of people and kidnap a number of children in two separate attacks, police and residents say
Read more »
Cartel Gunmen Leave Three Human Heads near Mexican Army Base in CancunA group of cartel gunmen left three severed human heads and a narco-banner next to a military base in Cancun.
Read more »
Search continues Friday for kayaker who went missing SundayA search team, including the GrandCoSheriff, plans to continue its effort Friday and Saturday to find a kayaker who went missing Sunday after he left a campground in Hot Sulphur Springs and entered the Colorado River.
Read more »
Full moon weekend: Strawberry moon to appear full Friday-SundayIt will reach its full brightness Saturday night, but keep your eyes on the skies all weekend as the moon will appear full from Friday night through Monday morning.
Read more »
Watch SpaceX launch 22 Starlink 'V2 mini' satellites early SundayThe Starlink megaconstellation continues to grow.
Read more »