By Adam Abu Bashal

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AA): Between 18 to 41 people were killed on Thursday following a gunmen attack in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara State, police sources said.

An armed gang ambushed a group of local villagers in Zamfara’s Birani village and killed 18 locals, Public Relations Officer of the Zamfara police Muhammad Shehu said.

“Local people were attacked by unidentified gunmen and a security investigation has launched about the incident,” he said.

Mr. Shehu said on February 13, hunters from Birani Village of Zurmi Local Government Area intercepted and accosted a herder in the bush with some suspected stolen cattle and sheep.

“The herder abandoned the animals and escaped into the bush, but unknown to the hunters, the cattle rustler went to Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State and mobilised bandits to attack the hunters.

“On February 14, the bandits ambushed the hunters in the bush and there was a clash that led to fatality on both sides.

“Police/Military and other sister agencies reacted by combing the bush and it’s environs to salvage the situation and discovered 18 dead bodies.

“It is believed that the bandits took away their own members that were killed. Meanwhile, bush combing is in progress so as to further profile the area.

“Mobile policemen/special forces and other security personnel from other sister security agencies have already been deployed to the area to restore peace and stability,” he said.

Recently, five more people were killed three days ago in Plateau province.

Additional report by The Muslim News

[Map of Nigeria By CIA Public Domain]