Armed gangs kill 17 in northwestern Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria

Armed gang members killed at least 17 people in attacks in northwestern Nigeria's Kaduna state, reports said Sunday.

The gang members carried out attacks on three villages in Kauru district.

At least 17 people lost their lives and 58 people were kidnapped.

Nigeria has recently been facing attacks by armed gangs in different parts of the country as well as by the terrorist organizations Boko Haram and ISWAP, the West African branch of Daesh/ISIS.

In Nigeria, kidnappings for ransom are also common, even though the punishment for the crime of kidnapping is death.

The gunmen usually target villages, schools and travelers in the north of the country, demanding high amounts in ransom.

*Writing by Merve Berker