AFP/ Damboa, Nigeria
Boko Haram gunmen killed many people in an attack in the restive northeast, throwing explosives into residential homes and shooting dead civilians who tried to surrender, an official and witnesses said Friday.
Residents in the town of Damboa said they were left completely defenceless after the security forces pulled out of the area following a militant attack two weeks ago.
In the latest violence, the extremists struck just before sundown on Thursday, while locals prepared to break the Ramadan fast, and rampaged with no resistance until 5:00 am (0400 GMT), witnesses said.
"They killed many people. Women and children fled into the bush," said an official with the Damboa local government, who requested anonymity.
"Those who could not flee surrendered and were killed by the insurgents," he added.
