Gunmen kill 24, kidnap some children in Nigeria

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 24 people have been killed and a number of children kidnapped by gunmen in two separate attacks in northern states of Nigeria, according to media report.

Armed gangs on motorbikes frequently take advantage of thinly stretched security forces in the region to kidnap villagers, motorists and students for ransom, Reuters reported.

According to the residents, armed assailants 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, the source added.

Hussaini Ahmadu and Abubakar Maradun, local residents in Janbako and Sakkida, told Reuters 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.

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