Gunmen storm villages, kill dozens in Nigeria’s Zamfara state

Assailants on motorbikes raided several villages in northern state, attacking farmers and pursuing those trying to flee.

Armed assailants have killed 53 people in northwest Nigeria’s Zamfara state, according to police and local residents, the latest violence to hit the restive region. Many motorcycle-riding gunmen known locally as bandits on Thursday through Friday raided the villages of Kadawa, Kwata, Maduba, Ganda Samu, Saulawa and Askawa in the Zurmi district, AFP news agency cited the sources as saying on Saturday. The gang shot residents, attacked farmers in their fields and pursued others who fled to escape the assaults.