Shootings, Bombings Kill 10 in Northern Nigeria

Posted July 3rd, 2011 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
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At least 10 people were killed in a series of bombings and gun attacks in Nigeria's restive northeast.

A local police official says an explosion Sunday evening killed at least five people and injured 10 others near police barracks in the city of Maiduguri.

Separately gunmen shot and killed one person Sunday. Reuters news identified the victim as the newly-appointed head of a local government council.

Police also say gunmen shot and killed four people late Saturday in Maiduguri.

All the attacks are thought to be the work of Boko Haram, an Islamic fundamentalist group whose name means “Western education is sinful.” However, no one has yet claimed responsibility.

The group claimed responsibility for a separate bombing at Nigeria's police headquarters earlier this month and has been blamed for numerous attacks on police, government officials and religious leaders.

Nigerian officials have offered to negotiate with the shadowy group, but spokesmen have rejected the offer.