Police in northwest Nigeria reported that armed cattle thieves killed 16 people on Sunday. 

Nigeria's northwest and central regions are a hub of cattle thieves and those kidnapping for ransom, raiding villages and killing and abducting residents after looting and burning homes. 

The bandits have recently intensified mass abductions of students in schools for ransom.

Dozens of bandits invaded Ganar-Kiyawa village in Bukkuyum District, shooting 16 residents dead, according to Mohammed Shehu, the Zamfara State Police Spokesperson.   

"The terrorists killed 16 people in the attack and fled before the deployment of police personnel," Shehu said Monday. "The police and the military are in the area to forestall further attacks and pursue the bandits."

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"Many lives were reportedly lost and many others got injured", Zamfara state governor's office reported, without giving details.

However, local media released a 37 high death toll, including the village chief, with dozens kidnapped from the village which has been repeatedly targeted by the gangs.

The gangs continue to attack villages and abduct travelers at bogus checkpoints on highways despite the deployment of troops and government amnesty.

On Sunday, Ibrahim Dosara, Zamfara State information commissioner, said bandit attacks in the state have displaced more than 700,000, prompting the state government to open eight camps for their accommodation. 

Dozens killed in violence in central Nigeria

Earlier, a statement released by President Muhammadu Buhari's office stated that at least 45 farmers were killed. It was reported that dozens more people were injured.

Local police said the violence broke out when armed Fulani herders attacked villagers from the Tiv ethnic group over the killing of a kinsman that they blamed Tiv farmers for.