Gunmen kill at least 30 residents in Northern Nigeria

At least 30 people have been killed by gunmen in a settlement in northern Nigeria, according to the Vanguard News portal.

The attackers also took hostages, though the exact number remains unknown.

The attack targeted the settlement of Kasuwan-Daji in Niger State. Gunmen reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles and opened indiscriminate fire. They looted local shops and set the village market ablaze before fleeing.

Northern and central parts of Nigeria have long been plagued by the activities of large armed gangs engaged in robbery, killings, kidnappings for ransom, and cattle rustling. These groups also intimidate local communities by imposing illegal levies.

In response to the growing insecurity, the Nigerian government has deployed the armed forces alongside other security agencies to combat the criminal gangs and restore stability.