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Nigeria violence: 'Boko Haram kill 17' in village attack Nigeria violence: 'Boko Haram' kill 26 in village attacks
(about 4 hours later)
The Islamist group Boko Haram has been accused of killing at least 17 people in an attack on a village in north-east Nigeria, close to where hundreds of schoolgirls were seized. The Islamist group Boko Haram has been accused of killing at least 26 people in attacks on two villages in north-east Nigeria, close to where hundreds of schoolgirls were seized.
It comes a day after 118 people died in a double bombing in the central city of Jos, also blamed on Boko Haram. Gunmen killed nine people in the village of Shawa and a further 17 in Alagarno, police and witnesses said.
In the latest attack, Boko Haram fighters reportedly spent hours killing and looting in the village of Alagarno. The area is near Chibok, where the schoolgirls were abducted last month.
Alagarno is near Chibok, from where the schoolgirls were abducted last month. On Tuesday 118 people died in a double bombing in the central city of Jos, also blamed on Boko Haram.
The abductions of more than 200 girls caused international outrage and prompted foreign powers to send military advisers to assist Nigeria's army.The abductions of more than 200 girls caused international outrage and prompted foreign powers to send military advisers to assist Nigeria's army.
People in north-east Nigeria are extremely vulnerable to attacks because many areas are no-go zones for the military and the insurgents operate freely, correspondents say. The US state department has condemned the recent spate of attacks.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki described them as "unconscionable, terrorist acts" and said the US would stand with the Nigerian government and people "in their efforts to defeat violent extremism".
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned the attack in Jos, calling it a "cowardly, inhumane crime".
North-east Nigeria is vulnerable to attacks because many areas are no-go zones for the military and insurgents operate freely, correspondents say.
Analysis by Will Ross, BBC News, AbujaAnalysis by Will Ross, BBC News, Abuja
The big question is where is Nigeria heading? The ferocity, frequency and geographical spread of the attacks is alarming. The military continues to fail to protect civilians in the north-east despite endless promises from the government that additional help is being sent there.The big question is where is Nigeria heading? The ferocity, frequency and geographical spread of the attacks is alarming. The military continues to fail to protect civilians in the north-east despite endless promises from the government that additional help is being sent there.
Boko Haram has in the past said it wanted to create an Islamic state. The current bombing campaign is indiscriminate, killing Christians and Muslims. Following most of the devastating attacks in the remote north-east this year, the government has been silent.Boko Haram has in the past said it wanted to create an Islamic state. The current bombing campaign is indiscriminate, killing Christians and Muslims. Following most of the devastating attacks in the remote north-east this year, the government has been silent.
These days the president and government officials take less time to condemn, but there is no real sign that the military has the capacity to turn the tide against this brutal campaign of violence. That is terrifying.These days the president and government officials take less time to condemn, but there is no real sign that the military has the capacity to turn the tide against this brutal campaign of violence. That is terrifying.
'Fully committed' The attack on Shawa happened on Monday and that on Alagarno on Tuesday, but were only reported on Wednesday.
Witnesses in Alagarno said the suspected Boko Haram fighters had arrived close to midnight, forcing many residents to flee into the bush. Witnesses in Shawa said the gunmen had been on motorcycles. Villagers in Alagarno said the suspected Boko Haram fighters had arrived at night, forcing many residents to flee into the bush.
The militants left the village some four hours later with stolen food and vehicles. One survivor told the BBC that every single building in the village had been torched. The militants left the village some four hours later with stolen food and vehicles. One survivor told the BBC that every building had been torched.
Meanwhile, the search for bodies is continuing in Jos following Tuesday's twin bombings that reduced buildings to rubble. In Jos, the search for bodies has been continuing in the rubble left by the twin bombings.
The attacks targeted a crowded market and a hospital, and the second blast went off 30 minutes after the first - killing rescue workers who had rushed to the scene.The attacks targeted a crowded market and a hospital, and the second blast went off 30 minutes after the first - killing rescue workers who had rushed to the scene.
"People were using wheelbarrows to move bodies and limbs," eyewitness Janzen Weyi told the BBC."People were using wheelbarrows to move bodies and limbs," eyewitness Janzen Weyi told the BBC.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the bombings, and said those who carried out the attacks were "cruel and evil".Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the bombings, and said those who carried out the attacks were "cruel and evil".
His office said he was "fully committed to winning the war against terror".
The president announced increased measures to tackle the militants, including a multinational force around Lake Chad which comprises a battalion each from Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria.The president announced increased measures to tackle the militants, including a multinational force around Lake Chad which comprises a battalion each from Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria.
The US also issued a statement condemning the Jos attack, as well as a suicide bombing in the northern city of Kano on 18 May. Nigeria's government has been accused of not doing enough to tackle the Islamist extremists - criticism that has grown since the abduction of the schoolgirls.
It said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to find a solution to the "regional security threat" posed by Boko Haram.
President Jonathan's government has been accused of not doing enough to tackle the Islamist extremists - criticism that has grown since the abduction of the schoolgirls.
Earlier this month, the Nigerian senate unanimously approved a six-month extension of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.Earlier this month, the Nigerian senate unanimously approved a six-month extension of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. More than 1,000 people have been killed in attacks linked to the group this year alone.Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state. More than 1,000 people have been killed in attacks linked to the group this year alone.
Nigeria under attackNigeria under attack
Are you in the area? You can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Nigeria' in the subject heading.Are you in the area? You can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Nigeria' in the subject heading.