Members of the dreaded Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram, on Wednesday killed no fewer than 35 people in coordinated early morning raids on three villages in Borno State.
Borno State Police Commissioner, Lawan Tanko, was quoted by agency reports to have confirmed the attacks, but did not give details on casualties.
The reports, quoting a military source and residents said the latest attacks were done by dozens of Boko Haram gunmen dressed in military uniforms who raided Gumushi, Amuda and Arbokko on Wednesday.
The insurgents were said to have arrived the scenes of the attacks in all-terrain vans and on motorcycles, opening fire on residents and burning down homes with Molotov cocktails.
At least 26 people were killed in Gumushi alone, said a military officer in Maiduguri on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the incidents.
?The insurgents hurled petrol bombs into homes, setting them ablaze and shot residents as they tried to escape,? said the officer on the raid he stated took place about the 6 a.m.
Attacks on the neighbouring farm villages of Amuda and Arbokko earlier, around 2 a.m., were said to have also left nine people dead and several homes destroyed.
Arbokko resident Josiah Ali said people were asleep when Boko Haram struck.
?The gunmen fired at people as they rushed out of their homes in a bid to escape,? Ali said.
Thirteen people were seriously injured in the attack in Amuda, resident Pirda Takweshe said.
On hearing of the attacks, Abba Shuwa, who spoke on phone to journalists, contacted his family who live in Gurmushi, adding that many of the dead had already been buried.
