Police in northwest Nigeria's Kebbi state say the death toll from an attack by a gang of cattle thieves on seven villages Thursday had risen to 88.

The region has struggled with decades-long communal clashes over resources but more recently some groups have become more violent, looting, killing and kidnapping for ransom.

Kebbi state police spokesman Nafiu Abubakar says initially 66 bodies were recovered but 22 more have been found, adding that the search for more bodies was ongoing.

Adolphus Mawolo reports.