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-26575428

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nigeria Boko Haram: 'Hundreds' attack Maiduguri Nigeria Boko Haram: 'Hundreds' attack Maiduguri
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of militants have staged a multi-pronged attack on the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses say.Hundreds of militants have staged a multi-pronged attack on the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, witnesses say.
On entering the city, the attackers split into smaller groups - heading for the barracks, the university and an area where civil servants live.On entering the city, the attackers split into smaller groups - heading for the barracks, the university and an area where civil servants live.
The militants failed in an attempt to free colleagues held in the barracks, an army spokesman said.The militants failed in an attempt to free colleagues held in the barracks, an army spokesman said.
Militants suspected to be from Boko Haram have killed 500 people this year.Militants suspected to be from Boko Haram have killed 500 people this year.
'Hiding behind mango tree'
Local residents say there was a heavy exchange of fire near Giwa barracks, as the military tried to fight off the insurgents.Local residents say there was a heavy exchange of fire near Giwa barracks, as the military tried to fight off the insurgents.
Air force jets were seen flying over the city following the dawn attack. The air force was deployed and some suspected Boko Haram fighters were killed as they fled across a dry river bed behind the barracks.
"They set many houses on fire and killed innocent people," local resident Jamila Yusuf told Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper. "They set many houses on fire and killed innocent people," local resident Jamila Yusuf told Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper.
One woman, who for safety reasons did not want to be named, told the BBC she had seen a pile of 15 corpses near the barracks.
She said soldiers then found a suspected militant hiding in a mango tree.
"They pulled him out, shot him and put him on the heap of corpses," the witness told the BBC's Focus on Africa radio programme.
The woman also she saw a group of vigilantes parading around the streets with the severed leg and hand of a suspected militant.
She said Maiduguri residents were constantly worried about attacks and so were happy to capture and kill Boko Haram members.
Defence ministry spokesman Chris Olukolade said the attackers had suffered "heavy casualties" in their attempt to free detainees. He said four soldiers had been wounded.Defence ministry spokesman Chris Olukolade said the attackers had suffered "heavy casualties" in their attempt to free detainees. He said four soldiers had been wounded.
Human rights groups say hundreds of suspects held in Giwa barracks have died and torture there has been rife. Human rights groups say hundreds of suspects held in Giwa barracks have died and torture there has been rife. The army has always denied mistreating suspects.
The army has always denied mistreating suspects. Eyewitnesses in Maiduguri have seen dead bodies of what appear to be both insurgents and Nigerian soldiers after the attack.
The attack came as UN human rights chief Navi Pillay was in the country. She told journalists that "many Nigerians openly acknowledge human rights violations have been committed by the security forces". It came as UN human rights chief Navi Pillay was in the country. She told journalists that "many Nigerians openly acknowledge human rights violations have been committed by the security forces".
"These have served to alienate communities, and create fertile ground for Boko Haram to cultivate new recruits," she said."These have served to alienate communities, and create fertile ground for Boko Haram to cultivate new recruits," she said.
There was also at least one explosion at Maiduguri university and houses were hit, residents say. It is not clear whether the blasts were set off by Boko Haram or whether they were the result of strikes by the air force.There was also at least one explosion at Maiduguri university and houses were hit, residents say. It is not clear whether the blasts were set off by Boko Haram or whether they were the result of strikes by the air force.
BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says Boko Haram militants usually attack at night so this was a particularly brazen assault.BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says Boko Haram militants usually attack at night so this was a particularly brazen assault.
Attacks have intensified in recent weeks despite a state of emergency being declared in north-eastern Nigeria last year.Attacks have intensified in recent weeks despite a state of emergency being declared in north-eastern Nigeria last year.
Human Rights Watch says in a report that the attacks by Boko Haram are having a devastating impact on the population of north-eastern Nigeria.
Quoting United Nations figures, it says some 300,000 people have fled their homes over the past year.
"Even if the government can't stop the attacks, at the very least, it can meaningfully assist the people who have been most devastated by them," says HRW's Africa director Daniel Bekele.
Boko Haram was founded in Maiduguri in 2009. It wants northern Nigeria to become an Islamic state.Boko Haram was founded in Maiduguri in 2009. It wants northern Nigeria to become an Islamic state.