(VOVworld) – At least 43 people were killed when Boko Haram gunmen attacked four villages in northeast Nigeria on Tuesday.

Boko Haram gummen (Photo: Isape)

The rebels savagely murdered civilians, stole property, and set fire to houses. Local authorities said that the number killed may increase because many were critically injured. Boko Haram has become the biggest security threat to Nigeria since it demanded the establishment of an Islamic state in the north in 2009.