Suspected Islamists Gun Down 18 at Nigerian Market

Boko Haram opens fire on group of hunters

Kano, Nigeria: Gunmen believed to be from Islamist extremist group Boko Haram have opened fire at a market in volatile northeastern Nigeria, killing 18 people, a local official said on Tuesday.

"Some gunmen came into the market yesterday afternoon and opened fire on a group of hunters," local chief Abba Ahmed told journalists of the attack in Damboa. "Eighteen people were killed in the attack."

There were conflicting reasons given for the attack. According to Ahmed, there were claims that the Islamists were angry over the hunters selling meat such as pork forbidden in Islam.