Nigeria, June 26 -- Rampaging armed bandits have killed seven villagers in the Matazu Local Government Area of Katsiba State.

Residents told Daily Trust that dozens of armed men stormed the community in the early hours of Thursday, firing sporadically.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources that seven people, including a woman, were killed in the attack.

Those killed include Lawal Chiki, Abdullahi Mustapha, Yalili Mai Ruwa, Isau Maharba, Salma Tasi'u and Ibrahim Uncle, who residents said was mentally ill. The identity of the seventh victim could not be immediately confirmed.

"We were asleep when we heard heavy gunshots," a resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, was quoted by Daily Trust as saying.

"People were screaming...