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At least 21 passengers, including children, were burnt to death when their bus was ambushed by gunmen in the north-western Nigerian state of Sokoto, police say. They were travelling from the town of Sabon Birni to the town of Isa near the border with Niger. The attack happened late on Monday but details are just emerging due to poor communication services in the area.

Some reports say the attackers deliberately set the vehicle on fire, burning the occupants alive while another account indicates the fire ignited on the bus as a result of the attackers’ gunfire. Travellers in the northern state are increasingly being targeted by gunmen who move around on motorbikes and hide in the forests, often abducting people and holding them for ransom.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ reporter Ishaq Khalid outlines what is known about the attack, and who is currently thought to be responsible.

Photo: A road in Sokoto state, north-western Nigeria Credit: Getty Images