6 Nov 2011

Scores dead in Nigerian violence

10:46 am on 6 November 2011

A series of shootings and bombings in north-east Nigeria has left more than 65 people dead and many others injured.

Churches and the headquarters of the state police were among the targets.

Witnesses said the attacks began about 6.30pm on Friday and lasted about 90 minutes, following running battles between gunmen and security forces.

A Catholic parish priest told a BBC correspondent his church was burnt down and eight other churches also attacked.

He described gangs of young men roaming the streets throwing improvised bombs into the churches.

Many people are reported to have fled the town afterwards.

On Friday, a wave of shootings and suicide bombings, apparently carried out by the Boko Haram group, took place in the nearby city of Maiduguri.