Gunmen suspected of belonging to the Boko Haram Islamist sect late Sunday shot dead at least six people who were playing the game ludo in the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi, the Red Cross said.

"Gunmen attacked some people in Zango area around 7:00 pm (1800 GMT). They killed six people and seriously injured nine others who are now in hospital", Adamu Abubakar, secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross in Bauchi state, told AFP.

The killing brings to at least 10 the number of people shot dead on Sunday by gunmen in two separate attacks in the northern cities of Kano and Bauchi.

Four gunmen on two motorcycles opened fire on a group of ludo players in the middle-class Zango neighbourhood in Bauchi, which residents said left eight people dead.

"The gunmen came on two motorcycles and opened fire on a group of eight men playing ludo outside the house of one of them, killing all of them," resident Musa Danlami said.

The attackers fled the area, shooting in the air to scare away residents, Danlami said.

Another resident gave a similar account.

"It is obvious the attack was carried out by Boko Haram," said Hamisu Labaran.

Boko Haram gunmen have killed several people in attacks on card players in many parts of the north in the past months.

Police officials were not available for comment.

Members of the Boko Haram sect have ben campaigning for the creation of an Islamic state in the Muslim-majority north.