Boko Haram kills 43 in Nigeria raids

Boko Haram gunmen killed at least 43 people and burnt down three villages in northeast Nigeria, residents told AFP yesterday, the latest in an upsurge of attacks by the Islamist militants.

Dozens of rebels on motorcycles stormed Matangale, Buraltima and Dirmanti in restive Borno state on Tuesday, opening fire on villagers before looting and burning homes, fleeing residents said.

More than 150 people have been killed by Boko Haram since President Muhammadu Buhari took power on May 29, vowing to crush the militants and end their bloody six-year insurgency.