19 killed in Nigerian attack

    By IANS,

    Abuja: At least 19 people have been killed in a renewed attack by insurgent group in Nigeria’s Maidiguri city, local residents and military sources said Sunday.

    Some gunmen numbering about eight believed to be Boko Haram stormed Hausari ward in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a mock coffin, reported Xinhua citing a military source.

    They hid their arms Inside the coffin to give the impression as if they were going on burial rites just to beat security checks and residents, the source added.

    According to local residents, the insurgents came to the Hausari ward Friday evening to avenge the arrest of some of their members by the community vigilante group.

    Ba’ana Ali, a witness, said the gunmen came to the area in a Toyota Hillux, adding that “nobody thought they were Boko Haram until they started shooting.”

    “The Boko Haram men killed 13 people including four women and two children but soldiers that came later got six of them,” Ali added.