Police confirm 53 dead in Nigeria attacks - The Police Commissioner in Nigeria's northern Yobe state, Suleiman Lawal, has confirmed that 53 people died in the series of attacks carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Potiskum and Damaturu in northern Yobe state, starting on Friday and lasting far into the night.

Lawal told journalists in Damaturu, the state capital, on Saturday that  the dead included 36 civilians and 17 security personnel. He also said four persons were injured.

The police boss said the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers, who attacked the state police headquarters, the offices of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, the federal secretariat complex and the First Bank.

The attacks also left many security vehicles, including anti bomb and anti terrorist squad operational vehicles, burnt.

Sources close to the state police command however said the number of casualties could be far higher, adding: 'The body count is still ongoing.'

Pana 06/11/2011