Nigeria: dozens die in bandit attacks on villages

By Nathan Morley

Gunmen have killed at least 30 people in Nigeria's Zamfara State.

Reports suggest the bandits raided several villages in a region that has been in a security crisis for several years.

The attack at Anka occurred just before 1 am on Tuesday when several hundred armed bandits on motorbikes stormed eight villages and started firing shots.

Residents said many shops and houses were torched by the perpetrators.

With the government struggling to maintain law and order-driven the dire economy - the region has seen a sharp rise in abductions and other violent crimes since late 2020.

A spokesperson for the regional governor said the gunmen were intercepted by the military but gave few other details.

Unverified local sources suggest many more defenseless villagers may have been killed in this most recent spate of violence.