Boko Haram, the world's deadliest terror group, has once again shown why it is as fearsome, if not more so, than the Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the Middle East.
On Saturday, the bloodthirsty gang of Islamic radicals massacred at least 86 people in a Nigerian village near a refugee camp, burning alive children screaming in pain inside huts which they set on fire, The Guardian and other publications reported.
The attack took place in the village of Dalori, which lies about 12 km from the northern city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram and the biggest city in Nigeria's northeast.
Nigerian Army spokesman, Col. Mustapha Anka said the terrorists arrived "in two cars and on motorcycles" and without warning "opened fire then set light to homes."
Not content yet, Boko Haram unleashed three female suicide bombers who after mingling with villagers blew themselves up after they were intercepted by troops, Anka said.
The terrorists also tried to storm a nearby refugee camp, housing 25,000 people but were repulsed.
One of those who survived the massacre said he climbed a tree and hid there during the attack. He later told authorities that he could only watch helplessly as the terrorists firebomb huts amid the heartbreaking screams of children burning to death inside.
Other survivors said they were lucky to escape into the bush after they heard gunshots signalling the entry of the terrorists in their village.
"We were seated outside our home shortly after the Isha prayer when we heard gunshots and within a few minutes the invaders had arrived," said Malam Masa Dalori, a community leader.
"They came in Golf saloon cars and began to shoot sporadically. Many people ran to the bush including myself. When we came back in the morning the entire community had been razed. At least 50 people were killed, and there were many people wounded," Masa said.
Scores of charred bodies ridden with bullet wounds littered the streets.
Alamin Bakura, another survivor, told the Associated Press that the shooting, burning and explosions from three suicide bombers lasted for nearly four hours. He said several of his family members were killed or wounded.
Troops arrived at Dalori at around 8:40 p.m. on Saturday but were unable to neutralise the attackers who were better armed, other soldiers said.
The Boko Haram terrorists only retreated when Army reinforcements arrived with heavier weapons, they said.
On Sunday, survivors of the massacre lamented that government troops were ineffective and late in responding to the Boko Haram attack, adding that they feared another attack.
The European Union quickly condemned the attack, saying it was committed to supporting regional African states in the fight against Boko Haram and other extremist groups.
Since they were driven out of towns and villages in northeastern Nigeria last year, the Boko Haram militants have been taking their revenge on soft civilian targets, oftentimes using suicide bombers to kill more people.
Their six-year uprising has so far killed about 20,000 people and driven 2.5 million people from their homes, according to reports.
