51 die in armed bandit attack in Nigeria

MAIDGURI, May 07 (Reuters): Armed bandits attacked a village in Nigeria's northwest Kaduna state, killing at least 51 people, residents and officials said.

Police Inspector General Ibrahim Idris confirmed the bandits invaded the village of Gwaska Saturday, fighting local Defence forces protecting the Birnin Gwari local government area, a community of about 3,000 people. He said 200 policemen and 10 patrol vehicles were deployed to the scene.

A resident who helped fight the bandits said at least 51 people were killed and the toll will likely climb. He spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.