ABUJA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Local police in Nigeria on Monday confirmed the arrest of three people suspected to have masterminded an attack which led to the killing of at least 36 villagers in the northwestern state of Zamfara last week.

Zamfara police chief Kenneth Embrimson told reporters in the state capital of Gusau that the three principal suspects had confessed to the killing.

Embrimson said police detectives were still on the trail of other suspects who are still at large.

Last Wednesday, the gunmen had ambushed a group of local hunters in Birani village located in Zurmi area of Zamfara, leading to the fatality on both sides.

A total of 36 people were buried last Friday amidst outrage in the country following the massacre.