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'Dozens killed' in Boko Haram attack on Nigeria villages 'Dozens killed' in Boko Haram attack on Nigeria villages
(about 1 hour later)
Boko Haram militants have killed dozens of people in fresh attacks on villages in Borno state in northern Nigeria, the BBC has learnt.Boko Haram militants have killed dozens of people in fresh attacks on villages in Borno state in northern Nigeria, the BBC has learnt.
A local member of parliament confirmed the attacks and said that at least five other villages had been targeted. In one attack, gunmen reportedly fired on a crowd in a church compound.
The Nigerian military has also denied reports that some of its men had been charged with helping the militants.
Boko Haram has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.Boko Haram has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
Residents in the village of Attagara, close to the Cameroonian border, said that armed men ordered them into a church compound. The latest attacks come as the Nigerian army has denied reports that several generals have been found guilty of aiding Boko Haram in their insurgency.
They said they were led to believe the men were from the Nigerian military. Eyewitnesses said the men then opened fire on the crowd. Nigerian media reported on Tuesday that 10 generals and five other senior military officers had been tried before a court martial for supplying arms and information to the militant group.
Nigerian MP Peter Biye told the BBC that there had been several similar attacks in the area and that many houses had been destroyed. However, a military spokesman called the reports "falsehoods".
This contradicted an earlier statement by the interior minister, Abba Moro, saying it was "good news" that the army had identified the accused, and that it sent a strong message to other serving officers.
State of emergency
Nigerian media said the latest attacks happened on Tuesday in Borno state.
Residents in the village of Attagara, close to the Cameroonian border, said that armed men had ordered them into a church compound.
They said they were led to believe the men were from the Nigerian military. Eyewitnesses said the men then opened fire on the crowd.
Nigerian media report that at least six villages were raided and 30 people killed.
Nigerian MP Peter Biye told the BBC there had been several similar raids in the area and that many homes had been destroyed.
Boko Haram, the group accused of being behind the attacks, has been holding more than 200 schoolgirls captive since last month.Boko Haram, the group accused of being behind the attacks, has been holding more than 200 schoolgirls captive since last month.
Court-martial denial Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in May 2013 in the three northern states where Boko Haram is most active - Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
On Tuesday reports surfaced in the Nigerian media that 10 generals and five other senior military officers had been accused of helping Boko Haram. Boko Haram retaliated by stepping up its bombing campaign in cities and launching mass attacks on small towns and villages.
Reports said the officers had faced a court-martial and had been found guilty of supplying arms and information to the militant group.
However, Nigerian army spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade categorically denied the reports, calling them "falsehoods" designed to do "maximum damage to the image of the Nigerian Army".
"There is no general of the Nigerian Army under any form of trial," he said in a statement.
However, the Interior Minister Abba Moro said it was "good news" that the military had identified the accused, and said it sent a strong message to other serving officers.
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar ShekauProfile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau
Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko HaramWhy Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in May 2013 in the three northern states where Boko Haram is most active - Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Boko Haram retaliated by stepping up its bombing campaign in cities and launching mass attacks on small towns and villages.