More than 40 killed in Nigeria attacks

At least 42 people have been shot dead by suspected Boko Haram gunmen in attacks on two villages in Biu and Hawul districts of northeast Nigeria's Borno state.

"We received reports of attacks by suspected Boko Haram gunmen on the two villages in which 42 deaths were recorded," a police officer said from Biu, 180km south of Maiduguri, the state capital.

A Biu resident confirmed the attacks on the villages.

He said some people were shot while others had their throats cut. Women and children were among the victims.

Some 30 Islamists in a convoy of trucks and motorcycles stormed Hawul and Biu villages on Monday and Tuesday.

The rebels shot dead their victims after looting homes and shops and setting fire to buildings, said Hawul resident Umaru Markus.

"They came and opened fire on the village which sent people scampering into the bush to escape the attack," he added.

The attack followed a similar raid on Monday in Biu when 20 people were killed, said Markus.

Both attacks again indicated the threat posed by Boko Haram, who have been pushed out of captured towns and villages by a four-nation military offensive since February.

But deadly raids, shelling, explosions and suicide attacks have continued against civilian targets since new President Muhammadu Buhari took over on May 29, vowing to crush the insurgency.