At least 30 people are reported to have been killed in north-western Nigeria following several attacks by armed gangs.
Fierce fighting took place over the weekend between gunmen and volunteers who had joined self-defence groups to protect villages in Katsina state.
In neighbouring Kaduna state the authorities have imposed an overnight curfew after villagers were killed in Ungwan Wakili community.
Attacks by criminal gangs have remained a major threat in the north-west despite the heavy deployment of security forces.
The Nigerian government has been strongly criticised for failing to stop the insecurity.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
