Nigeria unrest: 'Boko Haram' gunmen kill 44 at mosque

Leader Abubakar Shekau (c) said Boko Haram had carried out recent attacks

At least 44 worshippers have been shot dead at a mosque in north-eastern Nigeria, officials in Borno state say.

The killings took place during dawn prayers on Sunday, although news only emerged on Monday, as communications are disrupted by a state of emergency.

The attack occurred in the town of Konduga, 35km (22 miles) from the state capital, Maiduguri.

The gunmen are suspected to be from the Islamist group Boko Haram, which has killed thousands since 2009.

Nigeria's Daily Post reported that a further 26 people were being treated for injuries in hospital in Maiduguri.

A member of a civilian vigilante group told the Associated Press that four of their number were killed when they responded to calls for help.

Twelve further civilians were killed at Ngom village, closer to Maiduguri, reports say.

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in three north-eastern states in May as his troops carried out an offensive against the Islamist militants.

Boko Haram wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state in the north.

The BBC's Will Ross, in Lagos, says that while the group has frequently attacked churches, it has also occasionally targeted mosques.

News of the attacks came as a video emerged of the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, claiming responsibility for recent attacks including some that targeted the police and the military.

The attack took place near Maiduguri, in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north-east