Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed at least 26 people in a well-coordinated house-to-house night attacks in its Borno State stronghold in Nigeria’s North-East.

A report from the troubled state said the affected areas are Bdagu, Izge, Hartsa and Yazza villages in Gwoza, Damboa and Askira-Uba Local Government areas. The terrorists reportedly ransacked houses, killing their victims and displacing hundreds in the operation in which about 40 houses were said to have been torched.

The attacks were said to have taken place between Monday and Wednesday, the attackers operating in two Hilux vehicles, three buses and about 30 motorcycles armed with AK47 rifles.

Three of the attackers were reportedly killed when the neighbouring villages of Dille, Lassa among others mobilised and pursued the fleeing suspected terrorists to a nearby bush in the area.

Meanwhile, it has been disclosed that Boko Haram fighters train with al-Qaida’s North African branch in northern Mali.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Foreign Minister of France, Laurent Fabius, while speaking at the opening of a conference in Morocco on regional responses to security challenges.

Boko Haram, which claims to be fighting to impose Islamic rule in Nigeria, has sustained its murderous campaign since 2009, killing over 3,000 persons in premeditated attacks in various parts of the country’s north.

•Photo shows a group of Boko Haram’s fighters.