Suspected Islamists kill Nigerian villagers collecting firewood

By Ahmed Kingimi

MAIDUGURI, ‌Nigeria, Oct ​2 (Reuters) - ​Suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants killed at least 18 villagers who ‌had gone into the bush to ⁠collect firewood in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, local ‌leaders and security sources ‌said.

• Other villagers were still missing after the attack on Thursday in Marte Local Government ​Area, one of the areas hardest hit by a 17-year-old insurgency.

• Armed ⁠groups — some seeking to carve out a Caliphate in the ​region, others seeking plunder or ransoms and recruits from kidnappings — have killed ​tens of thousands of ‌people and displaced millions in regular raids.

• Villagers have come under ⁠attack as they stray into rebel areas while pushing into the bush for farming and ⁠firewood.

• The traditional ruler of Marte said 18 ​bodies had been recovered after the attackers ambushed the villagers.

• A senior military officer said troops had ‌launched clearance operations in the area and were pursuing the attackers.

• ‌The insurgency in northeastern Nigeria is ⁠led mainly by ‌Boko Haram and its ​offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province.

(Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Andrew ‌Heavens)

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