At least 41 dead in Nigeria after gunmen, vigilantes clash

At least 41 people were killed when gunmen clashed with a vigilante group in Nigeria's northern Katsina state, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, a police spokesperson said on Friday, the latest violence ahead of a presidential vote.

Insecurity has become widespread and a major concern for voters ahead of a Feb. 25 election to choose new members of parliament and a successor to Buhari, a former military ruler who came to power eight years ago promising to end insecurity.

Katsina state police spokesperson Gambo Isah said an armed gang, known locally as bandits, attacked a village in Katsina's Bakori local government area, rustled cattle and sheep and fled into the bush.