Riyaz Patel
At least 65 people were killed in an attack by suspected Islamic militants on a funeral procession in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno region, state television reported Sunday, one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the Boko Haram group and rival Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) splinter group have been known to have carried out attacks in the area.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attacks and directed the military to hunt down the perpetrators, a statement from the presidential office said.
A Nigerian court meanwhile adjourned a bail hearing for the leader of a banned local Shi’ite Muslim group to August 5.
Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) leader Ibrahim Zakzaky has been in detention since 2015 despite a court order to release him.
Members of IMN, which was banned over the weekend for inciting violence, have been killed in clashes with police this month while holding protests to demand Zakzaky’s release.
