The civilian defense force members insisted on anonymity Monday for fear of reprisals from the Nigerian military which was deployed to protect residents in the town. They said 43 people died in an attack on a mosque and 11 were killed in an attack on market center.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but initial suspicion has fallen on the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which has resorted to hit-and-run tactics after the Nigerian military recaptured territory once held by the militants.
