Armed bandits kill at least 18 in Nigeria's Katsina state

At least 18 people have been killed after armed bandits launched an attack in Nigeria's northwestern state of Katsina.

According to reports, around 500 men charged into the Faskari local government area on their bikes on Sunday, and stole thousands of livestock.

The men also attacked the nearby village of Sabon Garin and killed their leader after failing to abduct him.

Police said thousands of villagers in the Batsari area fled their homes, with combing operations now on to "arrest the hoodlums".