ABUJA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 33 people were killed when a group of suspected bandits attacked a district in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kebbi, police said on Friday.
Bashir Usman, police spokesperson in Kebbi, said in a statement that the bandits, suspected to be members of Lakurawa, a militant group operating in the northern part of the country, attacked Bui District in Arewa Local Government Area on Wednesday.
The armed men invaded the district with the intent to rustle cattle, Usman said, citing preliminary investigations. The assailants were believed to have crossed into the area from Gudu Local Government Area in the neighboring Sokoto State.
Some locals from surrounding communities mobilized in response to the invasion, he said, adding that "in the ensuing confrontation, 33 persons lost their lives."
The police spokesperson said all security agencies, including the military, have intensified patrols in the affected communities, with additional personnel and operational assets deployed to restore normalcy and prevent further attacks. ■