Suspected herdsmen on Thursday launched an attack on Kizachi Chawai, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing 11 and razed 64 houses, a local chief said.

Women and children were said to be amongst those killed after the herdsmen breached the community at 6:30 p.m., shot indiscriminately.

Many of the villagers were said to have fled for safety, as many are still missing, said community secretary John Wani.

Mr. Wani said some of those who could not run were killed and 11 corpses have so far been found. The casualty figures are yet to be independently confirmed, but a security officer in the area confirmed the attack and said it was linked to herdsmen.

The incident was said to have lasted for more than three hours despite the presence of the military at Kiffin Chawai which is not more than two kilometres from the scene.

Also, three victims of the attack sustained injuries from gunshots and were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

The state has in the years witnessed a series of attacks and kidnappings for ransom.
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A spokesman for the police in Kaduna did not immediately return a request seeking comments about the latest killings in Southern Kaduna, which has consistently suffered deadly attacks from rampaging herdsmen on a quest for scarce grazing resources.