Boko Haram burns 16 Nigerian communities

Boko Haram has launched renewed attacks in restive northeast Nigeria this week, razing at least 16 towns and villages, a local government and a union official told AFP.

"They burnt to the ground all the 16 towns and villages including Baga, Dorn-Baga, Mile 4, Mile 3, Kauyen Kuros and Bunduram," said Musa Bukar, head of the Kukawa local government in Borno state.

Abubakar Gamandi, head of Borno's fish traders union and a Baga native, confirmed the attacks, which happened Wednesday, adding that hundreds of people who fled were trapped on islands on Lake Chad.