Gunmen kill 48 in northwest Nigeria attacks: local official

Gunmen attacked three towns in northwest Nigeria's Zamfara state on Sunday, killing at least 48 people, according to a local official and residents.

For years, criminal bands known as bandits have tormented northwest and central Nigeria, raiding and looting villages, stealing cattle, and abducting citizens for ransom.

"A total of 48 people were killed by the bandits in the three villages (Damri, Sabon Garin and Kalahe) attacked Friday afternoon," said Aminu Suleiman, administrative head of Bakura district where the villages are.

Suleiman claimed that dozens of gunmen on motorbikes attacked the three villages in a coordinated operation, shooting individuals as they sought to flee.

Suleiman told AFP that Damri was the hardest struck, with gunmen killing 32 people, including hospital patients. "They burnt a police patrol vehicle, killing two security personnel."

He claimed that troops stationed in the area fought the attackers in a gun duel, causing them to flee.

The assailants went on a shooting rampage before plundering cattle and food supplies, according to Abubakar Maigoro, a Damri local.

"We buried 48 people killed in the attacks," Maigoro said. No comments were provided from the Police in Nigeria when requested.

Despite military efforts targeting their hideouts, the criminals have recently increased their attacks.

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