More than 45 killed in three new Nigeria attacks: humanitarian source

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KANO - Gunmen shot dead or cut the throats of more than 45 people in three new attacks on villages in a Nigerian state, a humanitarian source told AFP on Saturday.

The attacks again threw the spotlight on Nigeria's efforts to contain security threats that have been strongly criticised by US President Donald Trump.

Some 38 people were shot dead or had their throats cut at Konkoso in Niger state, the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Nearly all homes were burned down in the village, and more bodies were expected to be found.

Seven more people were killed at Tungan Makeri and one in the village of Pissa, the source added. All the villages are in the Borgu locality near Kwara state, where more than 160 people were massacred by suspected jihadists in early February.

Niger state police confirmed six dead and other people kidnapped in a dawn raid at Tungan Makeri.

Nigeria is riven by security challenges ranging from armed gangs who stage kidnappings to jihadist groups who attack villages.

Insecurity in Africa's most populous country has been under intense scrutiny in recent months since Trump alleged a "genocide" of Christians in Nigeria.

The claim has been rejected by the Nigerian government and many independent experts, who say the country's security crises claim the lives of both Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.

The United States announced this week that it will deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to train its armed forces in their fight against jihadist groups.