An attack by suspected terrorists has killed 20 people in northwest Nigeria, an intel report showed on Sunday.

A confidential security report prepared for the United Nations seen by AFP said terrorists from Lakurawa terrorist group raided the Fesken Rafi community in Kebbi state's Arewa district near the border with Niger, "killing more than 20 victims."

The raid reportedly occurred a few days ago, according to local media but was only reported over the weekend after the Kebbi state deputy governor visited the area. No exact date was given.

The motive of the latest attack was unclear.

Terrorist threat

However, terrorists and criminal gangs of kidnappers and cattle thieves called bandits have in recent weeks been attacking and kidnapping farmers who fail to pay levies they impose on communities to allow them cultivate their fields in northern and central Nigeria.

Lakurawa has remained active in communities along the Nigeria-Niger border despite efforts by security efforts to push them out of Kebbi state.

The report warned that the Lakurawa terrorism could transform into a "transnational threat" due to the group's multinational composition, which complicates counterterrorism efforts.

Terrorism in Nigeria has left tens of thousands of people dead and displaced millions.