ABUJA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 30 people were killed and dozens of others kidnapped by suspected terrorists who attacked a village market in Niger State in central Nigeria in the country's latest round of violence, the police said Sunday.
Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the police in Niger State, told Xinhua by phone that the terrorists wreaked havoc in Kasuwan-Daji, a large market located in Demo Village in the state's Kabe district, on Saturday evening.
"They also burned down shops and carted away food items," Abiodun said, confirming to Xinhua that the attackers stormed the village through the National Park Forest in the area.
Abiodun said the motive of the attackers remains unknown, noting that a combined team of security agencies had already visited the village to investigate the incident and rescue the victims.
Some local media reports put the casualty figure at 37, citing residents who said more villagers may have been affected.
Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. ■
