LAGOS: The death toll from a bloody clash between armed bandits and militiamen over the weekend in northern Nigeria has risen to 71, a traditional ruler told AFP yesterday, reports AFP.

More bodies were recovered after bandits overran a local militia protecting the village of Gwaska in Kaduna state on Saturday, putting the spotlight on the increasing violence in West Africa's largest economy ahead of presidential polls next year.

"The death toll now is 71 with more bodies being evacuated," said the Emir of Birnin Gwari Malam Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II.

"We hope that the security measures being taken will curb the issue." In a statement on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, calling for those responsible to be "swiftly brought to justice".