Suspected terrorists have killed 12 family members and abducted several residents during an attack on Gidan Taba village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State in Northwest Nigeria.
A source in the area told Vanguard that the victims belonged to the family of one Mallam Muhammadu Sani, who had gathered his relatives in a single room in an attempt to protect them from the attackers.
According to the source, the bandits ordered the occupants to open the door but, after they refused, set fire around the room, killing all 12 family members.
Several other residents were also reportedly abducted during the raid, although the exact number of those kidnapped could not be immediately ascertained.
The 12 victims were said to have been buried on Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites.
The attack comes amid recurring bandit attacks and security concerns along the busy Gusau-Sokoto road, where commuters have continued to face threats from armed criminals.
Residents condemned the killings, describing the incident as barbaric, and called on security agencies and the Zamfara State Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
The military authorities n Nigeria had yet tp comment on the incident as at the time of filing this report.