Fighting between armed bandits and militiamen left 45 dead in northern Nigeria, police and a local militia has said, amid escalating rural violence often involving cattle rustling, robbery and kidnappings.
"The 45 bodies were found scattered in the bush. The bandits pursued residents who mobilised to defend the village after overpowering them," said a vigilante who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.
"The dead included children abandoned by their parents during the attack" in the village of Gwaska, in Kaduna state.
"The attackers were obviously armed bandits from neighbouring Zamfara state who have been terrorising Birnin Gwari area," he added.
The Kaduna state police chief, Austin Iwar, confirmed the attack, saying: "There was violence between the militias, who are very powerful, and bandits."