At least 69 people are reported killed after gunmen attacked some villages in Katsina State, North-West Nigeria.

The BBC, which reported the tragic incident did not immediately provide details.

Meanwhile, down south, unknown gunmen in the early hours of today shot and kidnapped a popular on-the-air personality, Mr. Anthony Akatakpo, popularly known as ‘Diplomatic Akas Baba’, of Cool/Wazobia FM. He was whisked away from his residence at Rumuekini community in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State in the country’s South-South.

Wife of the victim, Mrs. Candy Akatakpo told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the kidnappers, who shot Akatakpo on the leg before taking him away to an unknown destination, have demanded for N10 million naira ransom, before he could be released.

She said the hoodlums storm their residence at about 2.00am in the morning, gained entrance into their apartment and beat up the victim in the presence of his family, and took him away in a Mitsubishi Endeavor Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), with registration number LSD 871CM.

Mr. Akatakpo’s employers have appealed for his release while the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has condemned the abduction and appealed for his unconditional release.