by S’ola Filani

About fifteen people died while many others sustained injuries when some suspected Boko Haram members launched attacks in four villages – Nuwari, Musari, Walori, Kolma – in Borno on Saturday.

Residents say the gunmen dressed as soldiers and rode in 4×4 trucks and opened fire on civilians and razed much of the area, according to multiple witness accounts.

“They burnt all the villages and took away all our livestock,” said Nuwari resident Bunu Kaloma, told AFP.

Another resident, said the shooting went on for about seven hours. The gunmen allegedly had a field day and operated unchallenged as they did not leave until about 9.30 am on Saturday.

Separately on Thursday, gunmen reportedly attacked a wedding in nearby Kolma village.

“They came in after dark while a wedding party was going on and went on shooting and tossing explosives into homes,” said area resident Bukar Mustapha.

Borno residents have been subjected to nearly daily raids in 2014, with more than 2,000 people in the area killed already this year.