Armed men kill 20 and abduct others in northwestern Nigeria villages

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, April 8 (Reuters) – Armed men in Nigeria killed at least 20 people, including security guards, and abducted an unknown number after attacking villages in northwestern Niger state, police and residents said late on Tuesday, the latest violence plaguing the north of the country.

* The attack happened in Niger’s Shiroro district, wherekidnapping gangs and Islamist militants are known to operate. * Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said gunmeninvaded Bagna and Erena villages on Tuesday and, when securityresponded, two community guards and a driver were killed andothers injured. * But residents said at least 20 people were killed and thatthe attackers, who also destroyed homes, operated for severalhours and overwhelmed security personnel in the area. * Some villagers fled to the nearby towns of Gwada Zumba andGaladima Kogo, the residents said. * Insecurity is Nigeria’s biggest problem and President BolaTinubu is pushing to allow Nigeria’s 36 states to establishtheir own police to help curb the violence.

(Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri and Hamza Ibrahim in Kano; writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)