Islamist attack in Nigeria leaves at least 30 dead

A suspected Islamist attack in Borno state, north-east Nigeria, has left at least 30 people dead, officials say.

The state’s spokesman said most of the victims were stopped on a major highway, at a checkpoint in the town of Auno. The travellers were later burned to death while sleeping in their vehicles. It is believed that more than 20 cars were set alight. 

The attackers also abducted several women and children. 

AFP news agency reported that the militants arrived in trucks mounted with heavy weapons, before they began killing, burning and looting.

Residents said most of the victims were travelling to the state capital of Maiduguri, but were forced to sleep in Auno because the military had shut the road leading into the city. 

Militant Islamist group Boko Haram and its offshoots have been waging a horrific insurgency in Nigeria since 2009, killing roughly 35,000 people and causing more than two million to lose their homes. 

The Nigerian government has repeatedly said the militants have been defeated but attacks continue.

Photo: Audu Marte/AFP