India, Jan. 4 -- Suspected armed bandits shot dead at least 30 people and kidnapped several others in Nigeria's Niger State on Saturday, media reports said.

The suspects reportedly targeted a local village market in Kabe District.

According to local media reports, the attackers burned down the market and looted food items.

Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said a joint security team had visited the scene and that efforts were ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, reported Punch.

The incident occurred just weeks after gunmen kidnapped over 300 school children staff in central Nigeria.

They were later released from captivity.

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