Human rights group Amnesty International has released satellite images showing what it calls "indisputable and shocking evidence" of the scale of the latest Boko Haram atrocities in Nigeria — the “catastrophic” razing of whole communities, resulting in as many as 2,000 deaths.

Before and after images of the neighboring towns Baga and Doro Gowon in northern Nigeria, taken on Jan. 2 and 7, appear to reveal the devastating effect of the attacks, with more than 3,700 structures damaged or destroyed.

Other nearby towns and villages were also attacked over that period, Amnesty said Thursday.

"These detailed images show devastation of catastrophic proportions in two towns, one of which was almost wiped off the map in the space of four days," said Daniel Eyre, a Nigeria researcher for Amnesty International.

Boko Haram has been behind a surge in violence in Nigeria over the last year. The armed group, which seeks to carve out a separate state in the country's north to be governed in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law, has been noted for its brutality against civilian targets.

Amnesty said interviews with witnesses, local government officials and human rights activists suggest hundreds of civilians were shot. Last week the rights group noted reports of as many as 2,000 dead. The Nigerian military has cited a figure of 150 casualties, including slain fighters.

"Of all Boko Haram assaults analyzed by Amnesty International, this is the largest and most destructive yet. It represents a deliberate attack on civilians whose homes, clinics and schools are now burned-out ruins," Eyre added.