'Boko Haram attack' kills 19 in southeast Niger

NIAMEY, Niger

At least 19 villagers were killed and a dozen others were injured in a suspected Boko Haram attack in southeastern Niger on Wednesday night, security sources told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.

Hundreds of homes were also reportedly burnt in the incident that took place in the municipality of Bosso in the Diffa Region near the Nigerian border.

"A dozen people were also injured in the attack. Some are in serious condition. The death toll is likely to rise," the source said.

"Assailants attacked the village in middle of the night, where they entered houses of civilians and slaughtered people one-by-one," security sources said.

Last October, Boko Haram executed 13 people in another village in the Diffa Region.

In recent months, the region has suffered more than 60 Boko Haram attacks that killed hundreds of civilians and soldiers, according to security sources.

Thousands of villagers have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring cities and countries.

Niger is part of a Multinational Joint Task Force that was created by Lake Chad Basin countries -- Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin -- aimed at eradicating the Africa-based militant group.