Islamic extremists kill 13 in northeast Nigeria

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Islamic extremists who hid their assault rifles inside a coffin launched an attack against vigilantes in a northeast Nigeria city at the heart of the country’s bloody insurgency, killing 13 people before being shot by security forces, witnesses said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday in Maiduguri, the spiritual home of the extremist network Boko Haram that’s now targeted as part of a regional military offensive against extremists in the West African nation. Meanwhile, soldiers shot dead another eight suspected Boko Haram fighters in the city Thursday, leaving their bodies in a ditch in the restive city.