About 27 killed in Boko Haram attacks on Nigerian villages

Boko Haram extremists killed at least 27 people by shooting them and slitting their throats as they attacked several villages in northern Nigeria's Borno state in the past week, residents said.

Such deadly attacks in recent months have pressured Nigeria's government to increase its efforts against a homegrown extremist group it last year declared to be "crushed."

Boko Haram militants entered villages in the Nganzai area on Wednesday, slitting throats and using guns to kill at least 15 people while injuring two others, said Modu Jialta, a member of a local self-defense group. The attackers also burned homes.

Residents weren't able to get to the bodies for burial until Friday, Jialta said.

Suspected Boko Haram militants also attacked the Guzamala local council area on Wednesday, killing 12 people and injuring at least four, said Mai Abatcha Monguno, the commander of the council's citizen defense forces.

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