59 'bandits' killed in NW Nigeria

At least 59 "bandits" were killed by a civilian defence force when they attacked a village in northwest Nigeria, security officials and locals told AFP yesterday.

"We killed 59 of the bandits and we lost seven men in the fight, which lasted for almost four hours," Bube Shehu, a resident of Danjibga village, said of the clashes on Wednesday.

Local reports said the death toll could be even higher, after a local government official said 15 other bandits were killed in the nearby village of Danmarke.

Shehu's account was backed by a military officer in the state but there was no immediate corroboration from police.