Boko Haram jihadists killed at least seven people in a Christmas Eve assault on a village in Nigeria's restive northeast, local sources told AFP Friday.
"The terrorists killed seven people, burnt 10 homes and looted food supplies that were meant to be distributed to residents to celebrate Christmas”, said Abwaku Kabu a militia leader.
Security agencies had in recent days warned of an increased risk of attack during the Christian holiday.
Fighters in trucks and motorcycles stormed Pemi, a predominantly Christian village in Borno state Thursday, shooting
"indiscriminately" and setting buildings on fire, said Abwaku Kabu,
A body was found Friday morning, local community leader Ayuba Alamson said, raising the number of dead to seven.
The toll could rise as villagers fled into the bush during the attack and some people are still unaccounted for.
The village is located only 20 kilometres from Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls six years ago.
Separately Thursday, gunmen attacked another Christian community in Garkida, in neighbouring Adamawa state, looting drug stores and food supplies before torching homes, residents told AFP.
There were no reports of casualties from that attack.
Nigeria's security agency, the Department of State Services(DSS), issued a warning Tuesday about planned attacks.
The DSS asked Nigerians "to be extra vigilant and report strange movements", while assuring that it was "collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property."