27 killed in northern Nigeria attack

Renewed attacks on four villages in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, have claimed as many as 27 lives, a police source told Xinhua Tuesday.

These bodies were recovered from the four villages of Karamai, Gidan Gajere, Gidan Auta and Chibiya, all under the town of Maro, the source said, noting that two police inspectors have been declared missing.

The source said that security operatives were immediately deployed to the villages where the bodies were recovered, noting that most of the bodies were found in Karamai and Gidan Auta.

He added that among the 27 persons was a policeman said to have been shot by the attackers while on their trail.

Over 40 houses in the villages were razed, the source added.

The Kaduna state government confirmed the attacks in a statement on Tuesday, saying security agencies were working to contain the situation.

State police and government officials did not reveal the casualty number in the attacks.

This is the second spate of attacks in the state within the month. Unidentified gunmen attacked eight villages in Kajuru area on Feb. 15, leading to more than 130 deaths.