Ten persons have been reported killed by bandits in several communities in Maradun and Bakura local government areas of Zamfara State.
The gunmen were said to have attacked the villages on Monday.
But police also said they engaged them in a shootout, killing 30 of them.
Spokesman Muhammad Shehu confirmed the incident, saying that a manhunt for the assailants who escaped was on.
Commissioner of Police Abutu Yaro urged all bandits in the state to surrender their arms and embrace peace or face the consequences.
