Nigeria Boko Haram attack 'kills 63' in Damaturu

At least 63 people have been killed in bomb and gun attacks in the north-eastern Nigerian town of Damaturu, the Red Cross says.

Witnesses said the bombs hit several targets, including churches and the headquarters of the Yobe state police.

The Islamist militant group Boko Haram told a newspaper it was behind the attack and that it planned to hit further government targets.

A Nigerian journalist told the BBC he personally counted nearly 100 bodies.

"I saw 97 dead bodies in the morgue," Aminu Abubakar, who is in Damaturu, said.

"But an official involved in the evacuation told me that he counted 150 dead bodies although some had been taken away by their loved ones," he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan was "greatly disturbed" by the attack, and said his government was working hard to bring those "determined to derail peace and stability in the country to book", according to a spokesman.

BBC