21 killed in gunmen attack in north Nigeria

Nigerian police on Tuesday confirmed 21 people were killed in an attack by unidentified armed group in the country's northern state of Kaduna.

State police spokesman Yakubu Sabo told media that Ungwan Aku and Banono, two communities in Kajuru area of the state, were raided on Monday by the gunmen.

Sabo said 21 bodies were recovered, and three people sustained gunshot wounds while 10 houses were razed by the attackers.

Despite unleashing mayhem on the communities, the bandits also rustled up to 50 cows during the attack.

The gunmen invaded the two remote communities riding on motorbikes, said the police spokesman.

An investigation of the attack has been launched, he added.

Kaduna, located in the north part of Nigeria, is among states earlier listed by the government as one of the flashpoint areas in the country. Violence has been on the rise in the state since last year.

In February, about 130 people from eight settlements in Kajuru were killed by gunmen.