21 govt-backed fighters killed in Nigeria

Anambra [Nigeria], January 12: At least 21 government-backed fighters have been killed in an ambush by bandits in Nigeria's northwest Katsina State, according to authorities.
Katsina police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu told the AFP news agency on Saturday that a convoy of pro-government fighters was returning from paying condolences to the family of a dead colleague when it came under fire from bandits in the village of Baure, in the Safana district.
"Sadly, 21 persons were fatally shot as a result of the attack," Aliyu said, adding police were seeking to "ensure the arrest of the perpetrators" of the attack.
Witnesses, however, told Nigeria's Premium Times that as many as 25 people were killed in the attack, while many more villagers remain missing.
Nigeria's The Guardian said the fighters were members of the state-backed Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC).
Source: Qatar Tribune