Armed men on motorbikes kidnap more than 60 in northwest Nigeria

The “bandits” open fire as they ride into Sabon Garin Damri in Zamfara state, abducting women and children, including others

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Armed men on motorbikes raided a village in northwestern Nigeria and kidnapped more than 60 people including women and children, witnesses said, in a region that has seen a surge of mass abductions.

The men opened fire as they rode into Sabon Garin Damri in Zamfara state on Saturday, resident Isa Sani told Reuters.

"They came on motorcycles, shooting randomly before abducting our daughters and children. As of today, we haven't heard anything from them. Everywhere is quiet," he said.

Groups known locally as "bandits" have killed hundreds of people and seized thousands across the state in recent years. They often hold captives for months and demand ransoms for their release.

"More than 60 people were taken, including women and children," Shehu Musa, the traditional chief of the village, told Reuters by phone on Monday.

The assailants also killed a farmer and abducted his son in the nearby village of Rogoji, Musa said.

Zamfara, which borders Niger, has become the epicentre of the violent attacks that have disrupted farming and travel and forced thousands to flee their homes.

Zamfara police did not immediately respond to requests for comments.