AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE KILLED IN ATTACK ON MERCHANTS’ CONVOY

ABUJA, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA-Reuters/ - Armed bandits ambushed a convoy of traders travelling to a market under military escort, killing at least 20 people in Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria.

A witness said the attack occurred as the convoy was travelling from Gwashi to the Nasarawa market in Bukuyum district.

He added that those killed included four soldiers, three police officers, one member of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, and 12 civilians.

A military source confirmed the attack and said another 19 people had been injured.

Northwestern Nigeria has seen an increase in attacks by armed gangs that raid villages, abduct residents for ransom and steal livestock, as well as attacking travellers.