<p>Maiduguri, Nigeria: At least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a rural community in Nigeria's northwestern Katsina state, residents and police said on Sunday, the latest attack against residents in the north of the country.</p><p>Armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have frequently raided communities in the northwest, kidnapping residents, students and motorists for ransom.</p><p>Residents said gunmen on motorbikes arrived in Maidabino village in Danmusa local government area of Katsina, and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee.</p><p>Hassan Aliyu told Reuters by phone that the attack took residents by surprise and dozens of women and children were confirmed missing.</p><p>"They killed seven people, including burning two children," Aliyu said. "They spent more than six hours destroying our properties."</p><p>Auwalu Ismail, another resident, said the gunmen first blocked all roads leading to Maidabino before the attack.</p>.Death toll rises to 19 after gunmen attack Russia's Dagestan.<p>"They burnt down our shops, vehicles, and took away our livestock. They also kidnapped my wife and more than 100 women and children," he said.</p><p>Katsina state police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the attack and the seven deaths but would not say whether anyone was missing. He said police were investigating.</p><p>"The remaining men who did not flee are living in fear ... and waiting to hear news about their abducted loved ones," said Muhammad Sani, whose sister was abducted.</p>
<p>Maiduguri, Nigeria: At least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a rural community in Nigeria's northwestern Katsina state, residents and police said on Sunday, the latest attack against residents in the north of the country.</p><p>Armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have frequently raided communities in the northwest, kidnapping residents, students and motorists for ransom.</p><p>Residents said gunmen on motorbikes arrived in Maidabino village in Danmusa local government area of Katsina, and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee.</p><p>Hassan Aliyu told Reuters by phone that the attack took residents by surprise and dozens of women and children were confirmed missing.</p><p>"They killed seven people, including burning two children," Aliyu said. "They spent more than six hours destroying our properties."</p><p>Auwalu Ismail, another resident, said the gunmen first blocked all roads leading to Maidabino before the attack.</p>.Death toll rises to 19 after gunmen attack Russia's Dagestan.<p>"They burnt down our shops, vehicles, and took away our livestock. They also kidnapped my wife and more than 100 women and children," he said.</p><p>Katsina state police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the attack and the seven deaths but would not say whether anyone was missing. He said police were investigating.</p><p>"The remaining men who did not flee are living in fear ... and waiting to hear news about their abducted loved ones," said Muhammad Sani, whose sister was abducted.</p>