Armed men in Nigeria killed at least 20 people, including security guards, and abducted an unknown number after attacking villages in northwestern Niger state, police and residents said late on Tuesday, the latest instance of violence plaguing the north of the country.
The attack occurred in Niger’s Shiroro district, where kidnapping gangs and Islamist militants are known to operate.
Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said gunmen invaded Bagna and Erena villages on Tuesday and, when security forces responded, two community guards and a driver were killed and others injured.
However, residents reported that at least 20 people were killed and that the attackers, who also destroyed homes, operated for several hours and overwhelmed security personnel in the area.
Some villagers fled to the nearby towns of Gwada Zumba and Galadima Kogo, residents said.
Insecurity is Nigeria’s biggest challenge, and President Bola Tinubu is proposing that Nigeria’s 36 states establish their own police forces to help curb the violence.
