At least 50 people were killed and several women and children abducted after gunmen attacked a village in Zamfara state in northwestern Nigeria, Reuters reported, citing a local lawmaker.
Lawmaker Hamisu Farooq, representing Bukuyum South constituency, said the attackers attacked Tungan Dutse village at around 5pm (18:00 GMT) on Thursday and left at around 3:30am (03:30 GMT) on Friday night, burning buildings and shooting residents as they tried to flee.
"They are moving from one village to another... leaving at least 50 dead," Farooq told Reuters by telephone, adding that the number of those abducted was yet to be ascertained.
A police spokesman in Zamfara state did not return calls for comment.
A resident of Tungan Dutse village said three members of his family were killed in the attack. "Nobody slept yesterday, we are all in pain," said Abdullahi Sani, 41.
A day earlier, residents contacted security forces and local authorities when they saw more than 150 motorbikes and armed men. But the warning was ignored, he said.
Insecurity is a major problem in Nigeria and the government is under increasing pressure to restore stability. Northern Nigeria has seen a sudden increase in attacks blamed on "bandits" who carry out deadly attacks, kidnappings for ransom and displacement of communities, Reuters reported.