LAGOS, May 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Gangs killed at least 15 farmers in the latest of a wave of attacks in the northwest Nigerian state of Kebbi, emergency services and local government said Sunday.

The attack happened on Thursday at Aje, and three people were wounded on top of the 15 killed, Aliyu Kafindangi, an official from NEMA, Nigeria's emergency management agency, told AFP.

The state government in Kebbi confirmed the toll in a statement Sunday. Deputy governor Umar Abubakar Tafida promised a donation of 24 million naira (13,000 euros) to the families of those killed or wounded.

Kebbi is one of the worst hit states from attacks by armed criminal groups. The gangs attack villages, killing or abducting local people for ransom and burn houses after looting them.

Northeast Nigeria is also the site of a jihadist insurgency that has raged since 2009.

Attacks there by Boko Haram and the rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have claimed more than 40,000 lives and forced two million people to flee their homes.

On Thursday, in the northeast state of Borno, Boko Haram jihadists killed at least 17 fishermen and farmers, according to military sources.