Gunmen kill 12, abduct women and children in Nigerian village

At least 12 people were killed and several abducted in a night attack by armed men on a village in Nigeria's Sokoto state, with six members of one family burned to death.

Armed men ​killed at least ​12 people and abducted ‌women and ​children during a night attack on a village in ‌Nigeria's northwestern Sokoto state, witnesses said. Six members of one family burned to death after the attackers set fire ‌to their house, one resident told Reuters.

The ‌gunmen entered the village of Lajinge around 11 p.m. on Saturday and attacked residents until about 3 a.m. on ⁠Sunday, locals ​said. The region ⁠has seen frequent attacks by heavily armed gangs, known as ⁠bandits, who raid villages, kidnap residents for ransom and ​steal livestock.

"They killed at least 12 people, ⁠injured four others, abducted women and children after rustling many ⁠livestock," resident ​Auwal Hassan told Reuters by phone. Police were investigating and would provide updates later, Sokoto ⁠force spokesperson Ahmed Rufai said.

The attack comes a week ⁠after ⁠bandits killed at least 24 farmers in neighbouring Zamfara state.