Attackers kill at least 50, abduct women and children in Nigeria's Zamfara state

Feb 20:  At least 50 people were killed and several women and children abducted after armed men attacked a village in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state, a state lawmaker told Reuters on Friday.

Hamisu A. Faru, lawmaker representing Bukkuyum south, said the attackers raided Tungan Dutse village from around 5 p.m. on Thursday until about 3:30 a.m. on Friday, burning down buildings and shooting residents who tried to flee.

Number of victims are still not determined. But local officials are accounting for missings.

A Zamfara state police spokesperson did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Abdullahi Sani, 41, a resident of Tungan Dutse, said three family members were killed in the attack.

"No one slept yesterday, we are all in pain," he said.

A day earlier, residents contacted security forces and local authority when they saw more than 150 motorcycles carrying armed men. But the warning was ignored, Sani said.

Insecurity is a pressing concern in Nigeria and the government is under mounting pressure to restore stability.

There has been a surge in attacks blamed on "bandits", who have carried out deadly assaults, abductions for ransom, and displaced communities across northern Nigeria.