Armed men kill 4, abduct 40 others in Nigeria's restive state

ABUJA, Nigeria

Gunmen in Nigeria killed four victims Tuesday, including two policemen, and abducted 40 others in an attack in the northwestern state of Zamfara State, according to residents and police.

The armed men stormed Kasuwa-Daji, a town in Kaura-Namoda Local Government and shot sporadically, Salisu Ibrahim told Anadolu Agency.

"I was awaken by the sporadic gunshots near the police station and people were shouting for help," he said.

Residents said gunmen laid siege to the police station for nearly 30 minutes before abducting the victims.

The assault was one in a chain of attacks by armed groups in the volatile northwest region.

Police spokesperson Yacid Abubakar confirmed to Anadolu that the attack occurred at about 1.30 a.m. local time.

He said police have deployed reinforcement to the area and would join other security agencies in a rescue operation.

"The police is making serious efforts to ensure those abducted are rescued," he told Anadolu.

Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy, faces protracted insecurity including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks by armed groups.

Insecurity has escalated since January due in part to hash economic conditions, a unemployment rate and political instability in parts of the West African region.