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Nigerian Islamist attacks spread Nigerian Islamist attacks spread
(about 2 hours later)
Islamist militants have clashed with Nigerian police in two northern states leaving many dead, a day after at least 39 people were killed in other attacks. Islamist militants have staged three co-ordinated attacks in northern Nigeria leaving dozens dead, a day after a similar number was killed.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC a gun battle had raged for hours in Potiskum, Yobe State and a police station set on fire. A BBC reporter has counted 50 bodies near the police headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State, where hundreds are fleeing their homes.
A self-styled "Taliban" group which has staged previous attacks also fought with the security forces in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing at least 30. Witnesses told the BBC a gun battle raged for hours in Potiskum, Yobe State and a police station was set on fire.
A curfew has been imposed in Bauchi city after Sunday's violence. Some of the militants follow a preacher who campaigns against Western schools.
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria but there is no history of al-Qaeda linked violence in the country. Mohammed Yusuf says Western education is against Islamic teaching.
Nigeria's 140 million people are split almost equally between Muslims and Christians and the two groups generally live peacefully side by side, despite occasional outbreaks of communal violence. There has also been an attack in Wudil, some 20km (12 miles) from Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria.
A curfew is in force in Bauchi, the scene of Sunday's violence.
Sharia law is in place across northern Nigeria, but there is no history of al-Qaeda-linked violence in the country.
Nigeria's 150 million people are split almost equally between Muslims and Christians and the two groups generally live peacefully side by side, despite occasional outbreaks of communal violence.
'Education is prohibited''Education is prohibited'
Militants chanting "God is great" attacked the Potiskum police station at about 0215 local time (0115 GMT) - the same time as the Taliban launched their raid in Maiduguri. Militants chanting "God is great" attacked the Potiskum police station at about 0215 local time (0115 GMT) - the same time as the raid was launched in Maiduguri.
The police station and neighbouring buildings have been razed to the ground, eyewitnesses say. The police station and neighbouring buildings in Potiskum have been razed to the ground, eyewitnesses say.
The Taleban previously staged attacks in 2004 There are unconfirmed reports of more deaths in Maiduguri, as well as a jailbreak in the town.
Hundreds of people are reported to be fleeing central Maiduguri, the state capital. In Wudil, three people have been killed and more than 33 arrested. The senior police officer in Wudil has been wounded.
The BBC's Bilkisu Babangida in Maiduguri says she has counted more than 30 dead bodies at one police building alone in Maiduguri.
Security is said to have been beefed up in Plateau State, to the south of Bauchi, where hundreds were killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians last year.Security is said to have been beefed up in Plateau State, to the south of Bauchi, where hundreds were killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians last year.
The security forces have confirmed Monday's attacks but have not released any casualty figures.The security forces have confirmed Monday's attacks but have not released any casualty figures.
Medical sources have told the BBC that two police officers have been taken to hospital in Potiskum.Medical sources have told the BBC that two police officers have been taken to hospital in Potiskum.
It is not clear if Monday's attacks are linked to the violence on Sunday, which was carried out by a different group. Mr Yusuf's followers in Bauchi are known as Boko Haram, which means "Education is prohibited".
However the BBC's Ahmed Idris in Abuja says both the Taliban and Boko Haram, the group in Bauchi, campaign against Western-style education. They attacked a police station on Sunday after some of their leaders were arrested.
Members of Boko Haram, which means "Education is prohibited", attacked a police station after some of their leaders were arrested.
Correspondents say the group is seen locally as a fringe group and has aroused suspicion for its recruitment of young men, and its belief that Western education, Western culture and science are sinful.Correspondents say the group is seen locally as a fringe group and has aroused suspicion for its recruitment of young men, and its belief that Western education, Western culture and science are sinful.
The Taliban came to prominence after attacking police stations in Borno State in 2004.
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