Armed gangs, known locally as "bandits," are a constant threat in northwestern and central Nigeria. They typically raid villages, steal livestock and kidnap residents for ransom.

More than 20 people were killed after gunmen attacked several villages in Talata Mafara in Nigeria's northern Zamfara state on Wednesday. Nasiru Lauwali, a local councilor representing the Sauna district, told AFP that 21 people had been killed.

Meanwhile, Sauna district secretary Alhaji Shehu Garba said 23 people had been killed across five villages. Three others wounded by gunfire were transferred to a hospital in neighboring Sokoto state.

Local residents told SaharaReporters that the raid began at around 2 p.m. on Wednesday and went "unhindered" for around three hours. Some residents accused local security forces of not intervening.

The attackers also rustled a large number of livestock, according to the news outlet. The bandit raids are separate from the ongoing jihadi insurgency in the northeast of the country led by militant group Boko Haram.

Violence in Nigeria has been in the spotlight after US President Donald Trump made unfounded claims of Christians being persecuted in the West African country. However, the bandits who raid villages are largely motivated by financial gain and typically do not espouse an ideology, while jihadi militants have attacked both Muslims and Christians indiscriminately.

Source: www.dw.com