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Nigeria: 'Many dead in Boko Haram raid' in Borno state Nigeria: 'Many dead in Boko Haram raid' in Borno state
(about 1 hour later)
Fifty-five people have been killed in the north-east of Nigeria in an attack by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, the Nigerian army says. Fifty-five people have been killed in the north-east of Nigeria in co-ordinated attacks by the Boko Haram militant group, the Nigerian army says.
It said 105 prisoners were freed in the pre-dawn raid in Bama, in Borno state. It said 105 prisoners were freed in the pre-dawn raid in Bama, Borno state.
An army spokesman said 22 police and 14 prison officers, two soldiers and four civilians were among those killed along with 13 members of Boko Haram itself. Bama's police station, military barracks and government buildings were burned to the ground, said the military and witnesses.
Correspondents say extremist attacks are common in the region but the scale of bloodshed makes this raid stand out.Correspondents say extremist attacks are common in the region but the scale of bloodshed makes this raid stand out.
Tuesday's raid in the remote town went on for several hours, the military spokesman said. Tuesday's raid in the remote town went on for several hours, said Musa Sagir, a military spokesman based in Maiduguri, some 70km (44 miles) from Bama.
Bama's police station, military barracks and government buildings were burned to the ground, a witness told news agency Reuters. "Some of the gunmen attacked the military barracks but they were repelled. Ten of them were killed and two were arrested," he told AFP news agency.
"But the gunmen broke into the prison, freeing 105 inmates, and killed all prison warders they could see except those who hid in a store where cooking utensils were kept," he added.
Group's roots
Twenty-two police officers, 14 prison wardens, two soldiers and four civilians were among those killed along with 13 members of Boko Haram itself, he said.
Police and public buildings - reportedly including a magistrate's court - were razed to the ground.
Boko Haram, as it is popularly known, has its roots in this region of Nigeria. It is fighting to overthrow the government and set up an Islamic state.Boko Haram, as it is popularly known, has its roots in this region of Nigeria. It is fighting to overthrow the government and set up an Islamic state.
Late last month the military launched a raid to hunt down militants in Baga, also in Borno state, after Boko Haram militants attacked a military patrol.
Nearly 200 people died in the raid, and thousands of buildings were destroyed, leading to claims by rights groups that the military had used excessive force. The army put the number killed at 37.