At least 14 persons, including a cleric and four members of his family, are believed to have died when insurgents attacked four villages and an Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Borno State.
The Islamic cleric and his family were set ablaze in the Wednesday attack on Kofa village and others close to Maiduguri.
Some witnesses suggest fleeing villagers might have also died by drowning in a nearby river, as residents spoke of the superior firepower of the Boko Haram terrorists who came in trucks and cars, and tens of motorbikes.
They allege security forces were helpless to withstand the hundreds of the insurgents.
The terrorists also raided a market, stories and set a whole village ablaze.
In a statement, Bashir Garga, the Zonal coordinator the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the North-East said said the attack occurred on Wednesday night at Kofa, Mallumti, Ngomari and Gozari villages which are close to Dalori IDP camp which was also affected.
“Many villagers fled to the Dalori IDP camp for safety which led to an attack on the camp vicinity.
“The terrorists gained access to the area through a bush path behind the villages and came in four vehicles and some motorcycles. They ransacked the market in front of the IDP camp.
“Meanwhile, villagers who ran into the bush for safety have returned to their homes while the Borno State Fire Service has contained the inferno.
“Two Internally Displaced Persons and six others were killed during the attack. The injured persons have been treated in the camp clinic while serious cases were evacuated to hospitals in maiduguri.
“Meanwhile, Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaju Mamman Durkwa led a delegation which included NEMA and BOSEMA officials on condolence visit and on the spot assessment for humanitarian response for victims of communities attacked by suspected insurgents.
“An assessment team is on site to provide relief assistance to those affected.”