Eleven killed in Boko Haram Christmas Eve attack in Nigeria

Members of the Takfiri Boko Haram terrorist group have killed at least 11 people in a Christmas Eve assault on a village in the volatile northeastern Nigerian state of Borno.

Local sources said the assailants driving trucks and motorcycles shot indiscriminately and set buildings on fire as they stormed the predominantly Christian village of Pemi in Borno State on Thursday.

Abwaku Kabu, a militia leader, said the attackers, who drove from Boko Haram's Sambisa Forest enclave, looted medical supplies from a hospital before setting it ablaze.

They also burnt a church and abducted a priest, he added.

"The terrorists killed seven people, burnt 10 homes and looted food supplies that were meant to be distributed to residents to celebrate Christmas," Kabu said.

Local community leader Ayuba Alamson said on Friday, "Four more dead bodies have been found in the nearby bushes by search and rescue volunteers," adding, "This has moved the death toll to 11."

The death toll still could rise as villagers fled into the bush during the attack and some people were still unaccounted for.

SS