ABUJA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of people were reportedly killed in weekend attacks by suspected bandits across three villages in Niger State of Nigeria's central region, according to multiple sources.

The assailants, who used motorbikes for the raids, first hit Tunga-Makeri village on Friday night. They then attacked Paso village on Saturday morning, and later wreaked havoc on Konkoso village.

All three communities are located in Niger's Borgu Local Government Area, a region that has faced frequent attacks in recent months, local media and residents said.

Local media reported at least 26 killed, citing sources, but residents said the death toll had reached over 30. The police in Niger confirmed the raids, saying houses were burned down and some residents abducted, but did not give the number of casualties.

The motive of the attack is not yet known, Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the police in Niger, told Xinhua.