MAIDUGURI/ABUJA, May 3 (Reuters) - More than a dozen people,
including seven soldiers, were killed by Islamist militants in
an attack in northeast Nigeria, four sources told Reuters.
The militants arrived in the Ajiri community in the Mafa
local government area of Borno state on motorcycles early on
Sunday, killing an army commanding officer and six soldiers, the
sources said.
The assailants also killed six civilians, burned down nine
housing blocks and carted away valuables, the sources - one
soldier, one civilian fighter and two local government officials
- told Reuters.
In a statement, the military said troops repelled the attack
but that militants killed some residents and two military
personnel.
Attacks by Islamist militants have been intensifying in
northeast Nigeria in recent months, with dozens of soldiers
killed and thousands of Nigerians displaced.
Army spokesman Mohammed Yerima said the military on Saturday
repelled another attack on Rann, capital of the Kala Balge local
government area of Borno.
Two sources, one soldier and one local resident, said troops
killed nine militants. Yerima said in the statement that the
troops also captured weapons including an anti-aircraft gun
barrel, an AK-47 rifle and different calibres of ammunition.