By Garba Muhammad

KADUNA (Nigeria) – At least 62 people were killed and captured by gunmen in Nigeria’s northwest Kebbi state. The head of the vigilante group and a spokesperson for the police said that it was the most violent act of violence in Nigeria since January.

Volunteers are needed to defend towns and villages in Nigeria’s northwestern states from the violence of gangs. Security forces have been fighting Islamist militants.

According to Usman Sani (head of the vigilante “Yan Sa Kai”, Kebbi), his group was planning on attacking Sakaba bandits Sunday night, but somebody tipped them off.

Sani, a former soldier said that the attackers had laid in wait, hidden their bikes in the trees, and then circled around us, opening fire in different directions. He claimed that 62 people were killed.

Nafiu Abubakar, Kebbi’s police spokesperson confirmed that the ambush occurred but did not provide details about how many victims.

In January, more than 50 Kebbi residents were killed when motorbike riders attacked a village.

In the Northwest, gunmen have terrorized hundreds of children in schools and villages with ransom demands.

Violence has exacerbated problems in northern States, often poorer than in the south.