Armed Robbers Attack Villages In Northwestern Nigeria, Killing 27

[News_Editor]

Armed robbers attack villages in northwestern Nigeria, killing 27 < br />

2012-06-12 06:21:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAN GULBI, NIGERIA (BNO NEWS) -- A group of armed robbers went door-to-door in remote villages of northwestern Nigeria on early Monday, killing at least 27 people and injuring several others, police sources said. It follows a similar attack in the country's northeast last month.

The attacks began in the early morning hours when a large group of men riding motorbikes arrived in the town of Dan Gulbi in Zamfara state, where villagers were preparing for a local market that day. The group of up to seventy men entered several homes and opened fire, causing widespread panic.

"The armed men forced themselves into the homes of villagers and opened fire at them with their weapons," a police source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to talk to the press. "Most of the victims were shot, but some of the victims were found with their throats slit."

At least 27 people were killed, including several people who were found dead in neighboring villages. The Nigerian newspaper 'The Daily Trust' and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the attacks may have been carried out in retaliation for the deaths of several criminals last year, but those reports could not be confirmed.

Last month, at least 60 people were killed when a group of gunmen attacked a cattle market in a remote town in northeastern Nigeria. The attack happened hours after an earlier robbery failed and resulted in the death of one criminal. The gunmen returned and attacked the market with explosive devices before opening fire.

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