40 killed in clashes between gunmen and security forces in Nigeria
At least 40 people have been killed in a clash between security forces and gunmen in Katsina state in northern Nigeria.
Katsina state police spokesman Gumbo Isa said on Friday that an armed group attacked the village. They clashed with members of the local security forces. 40 people were killed. The clash took place on Thursday.
He also said that a joint operation is being conducted there. According to two security sources, the number of casualties in the Katsina conflict is 50. The bodies were recovered on Friday.
Katsina is one of the most vulnerable states in the northern states of the country. The gunmen attacked the remote villages of this region. They almost kidnapped and detained people and demanded ransom.
Elections are scheduled to be held in the country on February 25. Meanwhile, the general voters of the country are worried about the security issue. Former army chief Muhammad Buhari has been in power as president for the past 8 years in the country.
Katsina's Special Adviser on Security, Ibrahim Ahmed, said the locals had been warned in advance to take up their arms.
Locals complain that Nigeria, like neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso, has become a regular target of Islamic militant groups Al Qaeda and IS.
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