Armed men on motorbikes have killed 11 people and kidnapped at least 70 others, including women and children, in a village in northwest Nigeria, witnesses say.
The men opened fire as they rode into Sabongarin Damri in Zamfara State late 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.
Sufiyanu Ibrahim said the attackers kidnapped his wife and shot him in the leg.Â
"There was gunshots everywhere ... I narrowly escaped," he said. At least 11 people were killed, he added.
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.
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.
Shehu Musa, the traditional chief of Sabongarin Damri village, confirmed that more than 60 people were taken, including women and children.
Zamfara police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kidnappings by criminal gangs demanding ransoms have become a regular occurrence, especially in northern Nigeria, tearing apart families and communities that must pool savings to pay ransoms, often forcing them to sell land, cattle and grain to secure the release of their loved ones.