Minna: Armed assailants killed at least 30 people and kidnapped numerous others during a weekend raid on a village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, police confirmed Sunday.

The attack occurred Saturday evening when gunmen descended on Kasuwan-Daji village in the Borgu local government area. According to a statement from Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun, the attackers opened fire on the community, destroyed the local market, and burned down several residences.

The assault is the latest in a relentless cycle of violence that has plagued the conflict-torn region. Local accounts suggest the devastation may be more severe than the official figures indicate; at least two residents reported a death toll of 37 and warned that the number could rise as more people are discovered missing.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the government’s response. While police officials stated that tactical units have been deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and rescue the captives, some residents on Sunday claimed that security forces had yet to arrive at the scene.

The northern region of Nigeria continues to struggle with widespread insecurity, driven by a combination of banditry and extremist violence that frequently targets rural communities.

With inputs from AP