Nigeria gangs kill at least 15 in Zamfara, residents say

Armed gangs killed at least 15 people in raids on villages in Zamfara state, northwestern Nigeria, residents told AFP on Thursday.

The gunmen rode motorcycles through eight villages in Dansadau district from Wednesday morning until dawn Thursday, killing residents and looting homes, residents said.

Abubakar Musa, a spokesman for the area's traditional chief, said the attackers arrived on dozens of motorcycles and launched simultaneous raids. He said Dandallah village was worst hit, with seven people killed, six injured and three others missing.

Musa said the raid was a reprisal for the killing of a Fulani herder by local vigilantes the previous day.

Shuaibu Ibrahim, whose Kuyambana village was also raided, gave the same death toll and said the gunmen took food, clothing, livestock and motorcycles.

Ahmed Mohammed, a Dansadau resident, said hundreds of residents fled to Dansadau town for fear of renewed attacks. Police told AFP they had not yet received any reports on the attacks.

Armed gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom and cattle rustling have terrorised rural communities in northwest and central Nigeria for years. Violence that began as conflict between Fulani cattle herders and farmers over land and water has developed into organised crime.