Nigeria: 65 dead while children 'burned alive' as Boko Haram attacks village near Maiduguri

Islamist rebel group Boko Haram has committed an atrocity in the village of Dalori near Maiduguri in north eastern Nigeria in which at least 100 people are believed to have died. Suicide bombers and gunmen rampaged through the village, killing scores and torching buildings, burning many alive – including several children. The attack continued for up to four hours before the attackers were either pushed back or killed.

"They came in Golf saloon cars and began to shoot sporadically," said one local resident. "Many people ran to the bush including myself. When we came back in the morning the entire community had been razed. At least 50 people were killed, and there are many people wounded."

The attack on the village, which lies a few miles east of Maiduguri in Borno State, began when attackers entered in cars and on motorbikes, opening fire on residents. As the panicked civilians tried to flee, three female suicide bombers blew themselves up.

Nigerian military spokesman Colonel Mustapha Ankas said: "While people were running for their dear lives...three female suicide bombers attempted to make their way into the crowd...and subsequently got blown up." The bodies of 12 victims, including children who had burned to death, were found inside homes. An official who did not wish to be named said identifying some bodies proved impossible. "We can't even pick those ones, they were seriously burnt," the official said.

One survivor, who hid in a tree, told AP he heard the screams of children burning to death. Alamin Bakura said he lost several members of his own family in the attack.

Maiduguri has been the scene of numerous horrific attacks in recent years. Other states have also been targeted and attacks have taken place across the border in neighbouring countries including Chad and Cameroon. Boko Haram are fighting to establish an independent state under Sharia law in northern Nigeria. Thousands have been killed by the group and millions displaced in fighting with government forces, who have also been accused of human rights abuses including massacres.