This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43617482

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Boko Haram attack: More than a dozen dead in Maiduguri Boko Haram attack: More than a dozen dead in Maiduguri
(about 2 hours later)
More than a dozen people have been killed after getting caught in a clash between suspected Boko Haram militants and soldiers in northern Nigeria.More than a dozen people have been killed after getting caught in a clash between suspected Boko Haram militants and soldiers in northern Nigeria.
Eighteen militants launched an attack using suicide bombers, mortars and gunmen on Sunday, a military officer told news agency AFP.Eighteen militants launched an attack using suicide bombers, mortars and gunmen on Sunday, a military officer told news agency AFP.
They targeted two villages and a military base near the city of Maiduguri, in Borno State.They targeted two villages and a military base near the city of Maiduguri, in Borno State.
The emergency services said a number of villagers were killed trying to escape.The emergency services said a number of villagers were killed trying to escape.
It is the largest attack since the government revealed it was in talks with the Islamist militants.It is the largest attack since the government revealed it was in talks with the Islamist militants.
The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers, including seven suicide bombers, arrived on foot. According to Nigerian army spokesman Col Onyema Nwachukwu, soldiers killed "six of the insurgents and neutralised seven suicide bombers" as they repelled their attempt to enter Maiduguri - the city at the epicentre of the insurgency.
Ba'Kura Abba Ali, a local militia leader supporting Nigerian troops, told AFP they were trying to enter Maiduguri - the city at the epicentre of the insurgency. Unable to reach their target, militants turned their fire on the two villages, Bale Shuwa and Alkaranti, Col Nwachukwu added.
"So far we have recovered 18 dead bodies from the two villages Bale Shuwa and Bale Kura," Bello Dambatto, of the State Emergency Management Agency, told AFP. Fourteen civilians and a solider were killed, and another 83 sustained injuries.
"The victims were killed while trying to escape the fight between the insurgents and the military." Bello Dambatto, of the State Emergency Management Agency, told AFP: "The victims were killed while trying to escape the fight between the insurgents and the military."
It is unclear if all 18 were villagers, or if some were extremists or soldiers. The attack, which lasted about an hour, began at around 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Blasts could be heard by people in the city.
The attack also left at least 68 people wounded, according to news agency Reuters. Col Nwachukwu called for people to remain vigilant.
It began at about 20:50 local time (19:50 GMT) and lasted for an hour, AFP said. "It is clear that the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are hell-bent on remaining relevant by attacking soft and vulnerable targets," he said.
Blasts could be heard by people in the city.
Boko Haram has killed some 20,000 people and displaced more than two million since it began a campaign of violence to create an Islamic state in the north of the country in 2009.Boko Haram has killed some 20,000 people and displaced more than two million since it began a campaign of violence to create an Islamic state in the north of the country in 2009.
The government confirmed last month it was in talks with Boko Haram militants.The government confirmed last month it was in talks with Boko Haram militants.
However, it is unclear whether it was speaking to all factions of the group, which splintered two years ago.However, it is unclear whether it was speaking to all factions of the group, which splintered two years ago.
The faction led by Abubakar Shekau is known for its use of suicide bombers. A second faction, led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, was behind the abduction of the Dapchi schoolgirls.The faction led by Abubakar Shekau is known for its use of suicide bombers. A second faction, led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, was behind the abduction of the Dapchi schoolgirls.