Dozens of bodies found in north-west Nigeria

Officials in north-west Nigeria have reported the discovery of the bodies of 66 people, 22 of them children and 12 women, killed by “criminal elements”.

The victims were found in eight villages in the Kujuru area of Kaduna state, the state government said.

Security forces have made arrests, state governor Nasir El-Rufai said.

He called on communities to avoid reprisal attacks but did not identify suspects or give reasons for the killings.

Four injured people were rescued by security forces and are receiving medical attention, the authorities said.

The discovery was reported on Friday – just one day before the country goes to the polls for an election.