The authorities in Sokoto state in north-western Nigeria say gunmen have killed at least 25 people in a series of attacks on several villages.
Residents say the armed men stormed four villages in Rabah area of Sokoto state on motorbikes shooting at people indiscriminately.
The wounded have been rushed to hospitals.
Victims of the weekend raids – most of them elderly people – have been buried in the town of Rabah.
The funeral was attended by Sokoto state government officials including the Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who once again called on the security forces to do more to contain the incessant violence.
The police say they have arrested four suspects in connection with the latest deadly attacks.
North-western Nigeria has been plagued by criminal gangs who usually hide in vast forests and frequently carry out deadly raids on communities as well as kidnappings for ransom.
Deployment of thousands of troops by the Nigerian government has so far failed to end the violence.
Source: bbc.co.uk
