Lagos: Witnesses say Boko Haram extremists shot and killed 29 people in two Christian enclaves of northeast Nigeria.

Yesterday's was the latest in a spate of attacks that have killed hundreds in recent weeks and spilled across Nigeria's borders.

Resident Paul Ali Dille said today that most people in Dille village ran but those who could not were gunned down and many homes were set ablaze.

Villagers said the extremists last night attacked nearby Mwuthamam village. It is still not known how many people were killed.

Survivors said a woman suicide bomber blew herself up at a busy market in northeastern Damaturu town on Sunday, killing 15 people and wounding 50.

On Friday the target was Maikadiri village, where witnesses said at least 14 people died and 500 cows were slaughtered.