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President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians ‘"not to despair"’ but "continue to be patient" after an attack on a village market in the north-western state of Sokoto led to the deaths of at least 43 people. Some witnesses say they believe more people died.

The attack by gunmen in Goronyo town comes during a security and telecommunications crackdown as the army tries to counter widespread insecurity in a number of states across the north west, including Sokoto.

The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Ishaq Khalid says it's one of the deadliest attacks in the state in recent years.

"One official in Sokoto state told the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ that perhaps this latest attack was in retaliation for an earlier killing of some suspected gang members in that area. We've not been able to confirm if that was actually the case, but the gangs usually attack communities that have set up vigilante groups to defend themselves against the armed criminal gangs."

(Photo: Map showing location of attack. Credit: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½)