Nigeria bloodshed continues with 32 dead

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Ending a weekend of violence, 32 people were killed in the northern Nigerian village of Mafa Sunday night after soldiers fled the area, outgunned by suspected Islamist insurgents, officials said.

Additionally, "a bomb exploded this morning and two policemen were killed while trying to evacuate injured victims," Senator Ahmed Zannah said Monday.

Thatched roofs were set ablaze as gunmen rolled into town shooting at about 8 p.m., according to Mafa resident Modu Yuraim.

"They have set on fire the entire village, sparing nothing," Yuriam said. "All houses, all shops and government buildings were razed down completely. We have been devastated beyond what one can describe."

This destruction comes after bombings and shootouts on Saturday evening in Borno State, Nigeria that killed nearly 100 people.

A week before the attack most Mafa residents fled their homes after leaflets were dropped in the village, warning of imminent danger, Zannah said. Seven soldiers in Borno are also believed to be missing, he added.