21 dead in two Boko Haram attacks nearMaiduguri

Maiduguri - At least 21 people were killed in two
separate Boko Haram attacks on villages near the
key city of Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria, a
community leader and a witness said on Friday.
"They (Boko Haram) killed 12 people in Akida
village and nine others in Mbuta village during a
raid," said community leader Mustapha Abbagini.
A witness to the attack in Mbuta gave the same
death toll while both said that the insurgents
destroyed shops and homes in the raids, which
happened on Thursday morning.
The two attacks came before a female suicide
bomber blew herself up at a crowded market in
the town of Biu, in the south of Borno state, of
which Maiduguri is the capital.
A civilian vigilante helping the Nigerian Army in
the counter-insurgency and a source at the
town's hospital both said that the death toll had
risen from seven to 11 after the blast.
"Four more people, all of them adults, died at the
hospital here in Biu while receiving treatment,"
said the vigilante, Abor Kabiru.
Also read: Boko Haram regroups for new
Maiduguri Attack
A source at Biu General Hospital added: "Four of
the victims brought here with injuries died at
night and so far, at least 11 dead bodies have
been identified."
The death toll could increase further, as health
officials were working to establish the identities of
at least two other people who were blown apart
by the strength of the blast.
The source asked not to be identified because
they were not authorised to speak to the media.
"There are still about 13 victims who are receiving
treatment while seven others with less severe
injuries have been treated and discharged," the
source added.
The attack in Akida, which is some 25 kilometres
(16 miles) from Maiduguri, happened at about
4:30 am (0330 GMT) when villagers were asleep,
said Abbagini.
After setting homes and businesses on fire, the
insurgents left and attacked Mbuta at about 7:25
am, he added.
Mbuta resident Hamidu Bukar said: "The
attackers destroyed about 25 houses and five
shops in our village after killing nine people that
attempted to flee from their assault.
"The attackers came from (the) Dikwa area (of
Borno state) and they accused us for spying for
military authorities... I don't know what they
mean by that.
"They threatened that if they fail in their future
operations of advancing towards Maiduguri, they
would destroy our villages."