Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nigerian Boko Haram extremists burn homes with villagers still inside

Los Angeles Times

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Boko Haram, the extremist militia allied with the Islamic State, killed dozens of people, including children, in a weekend attack on a village in northeastern Nigeria, a sign the group may be reasserting itself after a series of retreats.

Boko Haram extremists attacked the village of Dalori late Saturday, opening fire on residents and burning houses with people inside, according to local media. Reports of the dead ranged from about 65 to 90 people.

The attack was typical of assaults by the Nigerian extremist group in recent years: Militants storm in, killing men and burning houses. Local media reported dozens of people were injured.

One survivor, Alamin Bakura, told the Associated Press that he hid in a tree and heard the three-hour attack unfolding. He said he heard the screams of children inside burning houses.

Suicide bombers reportedly took part in the attack.

Boko Haram controlled a large slice of Nigeria’s northeast until early last year, when it was driven out of much of the region by Nigeria’s military. However, the group remains capable of deadly attacks on soft civilian targets such as markets and bus stations.

In recent months, attacks have increased, often targeting poor villages in remote Nigeria.