Boko Haram attacks in northeast Nigeria kill 21 villagers

At least 21 people were killed in two separate Boko Haram attacks on villages near the key city of Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria, a community leader and a witness said on Friday. A witness to an attack in Mbuta said the insurgents destroyed shops and homes in the raids. The two attacks came before a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a crowded market in the town of Biu, in the south of Borno state, of which Maiduguri is the capital.

Four of the victims brought here with injuries died at night and so far, at least 11 dead bodies have been identified.

A source at Biu General Hospital

The death toll could increase further, as health officials were working to establish the identities of at least two other people who were blown apart by the strength of the blast. The attack in Akida, which is 25 kilometres from Maiduguri, happened at about 4:30 amwhen villagers were asleep. After setting homes and businesses on fire, the insurgents left and attacked Mbuta three hours later.

The attackers came from (the) Dikwa area (of Borno state) and they accused us for spying for military authorities… I don’t know what they mean by that.

Mbuta resident Hamidu Bukar

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