Boko haram fighters kill at least 21 people near Chibok

Reports say Boko Haram members fleeing a Nigerian army offensive killed at least 21 people on Friday in attacks near the village of Chibok, close to where the rebels abducted more than 200 schoolgirls last year.

The rebels were fleeing a land and air offensive to clear them out of the Sambisa forest when they raided the villages of Gatamarwa, Makalama and Layhawul.

They were reported to have opened fire at random on terrified residents.

Residents who fled the town said they appealed to troops based in Chibok some 25 kilometres away.

The military reportedly came in later to chase the militants who fled towards towards Gwoza, on the border with Cameroon, and the Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram has camps.