Kano, Nigeria – At least 15 people were killed and several homes burnt on Tuesday when Boko Haram gunmen raided a village in northern Nigeria near the town of Chibok, according to fleeing residents and a military officer.<\/p>\n
Boko Haram rebels drew international condemnation when they kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in April, many of whom they said they sold into slavery.<\/p>\n
In the latest raid, scores of Boko Haram fighters armed with guns and petrol bombs stormed the remote farming village of Kautikari on motorcycles early Tuesday, shooting randomly and torching homes.<\/p>\n
The attackers urged residents not to flee, saying they were in the village to find selected targets.<\/p>\n
“The gunmen killed 15 people, mostly youth vigilantes who keep watch on the village against Boko Haram attacks,” said Adamu Kolomgunna,\u200e who fled the village for the town of Maiduguri.<\/p>\n
The attackers hurled petrol bombs into homes\u200e, causing fire that destroyed several houses, he said.<\/p>\n
“The village has been deserted by all able-bodied men, leaving only the old and children,” Kolomgunna said.<\/p>\n
The gunmen left the village after the raid, warning residents not to stand in their way when they carry out attacks, said Silas Bitrus, another resident who gave a similar death toll.<\/p>\n
This was the second deadly raid on Kautikari by Boko Haram insurgents in recent months.<\/p>\n
Boko Haram has terrorized northern Nigeria regularly since 2009, attacking police, schools, churches and civilians, and bombing government buildings.<\/p>\n
Violence has increased sharply in recent months, ahead of elections due in February.<\/p>\n