At least 69 people have been killed in several attacks on villages in Katsina state, north-western Nigeria.
Witnesses say dozens of attackers rode motorcycles into villages and killed anyone they found.
The assailants appear to have been ethnic Fulani cattle herders who have a history of tension with local farmers.
Police say the attack is not linked to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which is mainly active further east, particularly in Borno state.
The attacks, which first began on Tuesday evening, sent scores of people fleeing on foot from the four targeted villages about 180 km (110 miles) south of Katsina city.
"The victims include men, women and children. Rescue teams are still combing nearby bushes to search for more bodies," state police chief Hurdi Mohammed told the AFP news agency.
Local MP Abdullahi Abbas Machika said 47 people were buried in one village alone in Katsina state after Wednesday's attack.
Local residents have told the BBC Hausa service that security personnel have still not been deployed to the area.
President Goodluck Jonathan is currently visiting Katsina state to commission some government projects.
Mr Machika told the BBC that the security personnel were busy protecting the president while his constituents were being killed.
***Please enough of this senseless killings, May God grant rest to the departed, and fortitude to the relatives and survivors.
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