Death toll rises to 60 in Nigerian Boko Haram attack

The death toll from a weekend attack by extremist Islamist sect Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria has risen to 60, local media reported Tuesday.

The attack on Muslim worshippers at a mosque in Konduga village, near Borno’s state capital Maiduguri, only became known late Monday.

Authorities initially reported 44 deaths and scores injured.

Military authorities in the north-western state of Sokoto said they apprehended 20 Boko Harem members, including one of its kingpins, Malam Mubarak.

The suspects are being interrogated to establish if they were involved in the Borno attack, said Sokoto military spokesperson Musa Yahay.

Nigerian security agencies are on high alert following intelligence reports that said Boko Haram planned to carry out bombings after the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, on August 7.

Borno is one of three northern states that Nigeria’s government placed under a state of emergency in May to curb violent attacks by Boko Haram.

Boko Haram — which means “western education is sinful” and intends to implement Islamic law in Nigeria — has flourished due to growing discontent in the West African country, especially among minorities and the rural poor.