Authorities: 42 Dead In Nigeria Extremist Attacks

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) – Authorities in northeast Nigeria say at least 42 people have been killed in a coordinated attacks by Islamic extremists that also allowed 105 prisoners to escape. The violence occurred Tuesday in multiple locations in Bama, a town repeatedly hit by fighters in Nigeria’s Borno state. Authorities say extremists used multiple heavy machine guns and “anti-aircraft” weapons.

Lt. Col. Sagir Musa told The Associated Press that two soldiers died in one attack, as did 14 Nigerian prison guards when the militants raided a federal prison there. Musa said 105 inmates escaped during the assault. Bama police commander Alhaji Sagiru said 22 police officers also died in the attacks, as did three children and a woman. The fighting comes amid increasingly bloody guerrilla attacks by Islamic extremists in northern Nigeria.