ABUJA, SEP 1:  
At least 24 people have been killed and 34 others missing in attacks by suspected Boko Haram insurgents wearing Nigerian military uniforms, local officials said on Sunday.
According to the officials, the incident occurred in Monguno town in Borno state on Friday.
More than 100 vigilantes who helped the military in hunting for the insurgents were ambushed by the terrorists putting on military uniforms to disguise themselves.
Recently, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three northern states and the military was deployed massively to the region.
Later, the army announced that the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau died as a result of injury sustained during their raid on the militant’s hide-out.
In 2009, the militants expanded their attacks using bombings, drive-by shootings in their quest to create an Islamic emirate in northern Nigeria.
The oil-rich African country is home to both Christians and Muslims, numbering 150 million.
(This article was published on September 1, 2013)