More than dozen killed in northeast Nigeria Boko Haram terror attack

By Olarewaju Kola

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - More than one dozen people, including soldiers and vigilantes, were killed in a terror attack in a remote town in northeast Borno State, military sources and residents said Tuesday.

Boko Haram attacked the remote town of Ajiri, 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Maiduguri, capital of northeast Borno State late Monday.

"Boko Haram opened fire first on an army base in the town and set fire on houses," Mustapha Khali told Anadolu Agency. He lives just a few kilometers from the attack.

He said 10 civilians died in the attack, an account corroborated by another resident, Kaumi Moh'd.

Military sources said five soldiers and 12 vigilantes were also killed.

Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima did not respond to Anadolu Agency’s request for comment.

The attack was the second in two days on Ajiri, following a raid on Sunday.

Borno State Acting Governor Mustapha Kadafru visited the area on Monday to sympathize with residents of the first attack.