At least 65 people died in an attack by suspected Islamists on a group returning from a funeral in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno region, state television reported on Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Boko Haram group and rival Islamic State in West Africa (Iswa) splinter group have often carried out attacks in the area.

Local government chairman Mohammed Bulama was quoted as saying on state television that the assailants killed 21 people returning from the funeral in a village near the state capital Maiduguri on Saturday.

Another 44 people died when they tried to regroup to defend themselves. Others were injured, he said, meaning the death toll may rise further.

The president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday condemned the attack and directed the military to hunt down the perpetrators, a statement from the presidential office said.

Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Show all 15 1 /15 Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Here, Aisha Umaru Gaye holds up a pumpkin that she plans to swap at the Bakasi IDP camp Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Falmata Ahmadu swaps her bowl of maize for Musa Ali Wala’s amaranth vegetables Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Mohammed Ali holds up two tomatoes and some dried vegetable leaves Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Isa Zakariya Audu holds pieces of firewood whilst Kakaye Ahmadu Maikifi holds up a plate of okra Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Famta Musa Tamaha holds a crate of eggs Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Zainab Umar gives parboiled soya bean paste to Aisha Jaule in exchange for spaghetti Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Abachi Mohammed holds six packets of chicken instant noodles Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Nasiru Buba exchanges detergent for a tray of peanuts Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Insua Damladi holds up a sachet of salt Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Falmata Madu exchanges her plate of uncooked rice for Hadisa Adamu’s ground maize Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Jibril Adamu holds okra seeds and sugared peanuts REUTERS Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Aisha Umaru presents a basin of milk as Umari Usman Kaski holds up firewood Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Aisha Alhajji Audu holds four small red onions Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Binta Lawal holds up a bowl of poultry feed with Aisha Buba Reuters Boko Haram displaced barter to survive Abdulwahal Abdulla holds a bowl of dried young tilapia fish Reuters

Borno state is the epicentre of the Boko Haram and Iswa insurgency. The conflict has lasted a decade, during which time the militants have killed thousands and millions have fled from their homes in the region.

Resident Bakura Mallam Amadu said he saw the insurgents gather before firing on the funeral attendees. A security source said Islamists attacked on motorbikes and in vans.

Nigeria’s military declined to comment.

Mr Buhari won a second term in February promising to improve security in Nigeria. Nigeria’s government says Boko Haram and Iswa have been largely defeated and driven out of territory they once held, but they continue to attack both civilian and military targets.