Dozens killed in Boko Haram attack on village in northeastern Nigeria

Fighters from the hardline group attacked Mafa village on Sunday burning down shops and houses.

Dozens of people have been killed after suspected fighters from the Boko Haram hardline group attacked a village in northeastern Nigeria, setting fire to shops and homes.

The attack took place on Sunday afternoon.

“Around 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles,” said Dungus Abdulkarim, a police spokesman in Yobe State where the village is located.

“They killed many people and burned many shops and houses. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed in the attack.”

Abdulkarim said the attack was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes.

Yobe is one of three states on the front line of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram and other hardline groups which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 2 million. The armed groups have strengthened their position by working with gangs of criminals known as “bandits”, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them.