Women and children among hundreds abducted by Islamic militants

More than 300 people, including women and children, have been abducted by Islamic militants who attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria, officials have said.

Militant fighters stormed the town of Ngoshe in Borno state on Friday, Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area said. No group has claimed responsibility, but it was likely in retaliation for the killing of three commanders of the Boko Haram militant group by Nigeria's military, he said.

Separate attacks also took place in the communities of Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between Wednesday and Friday, according to military spokesman Uba Sani. He said troops repelled those attacks, but a "number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty.