Nigeria: 24 Vigilantes killed by militant group Boko Haram

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24 members of a vigilante group have been killed in suspected Boko Haram fighters in north-eastern Nigeria, according to officials. Another 34 people are reported to be missing after the attack, which took place near the town of Monguno. Officials said militants wearing army uniforms ambushed more than 100 vigilante youths on Friday. The Sunday Tribune reports that the vigilantes had been on a mission to capture Boko Haram militants in their camps when they were ambushed. The vigilantes are said to have originally arranged to carry out the mission with the army but after waiting for some hours decided to carry out the attempt by themselves. They were then ambushed by militants who "had disguised in military uniforms with three captured patrol vehicles of the security agencies", sources told the Sunday Tribune. With over 30 people missing, their are fears the death toll could rise. Boko Haram has waged a deadly insurgency in Nigeria since 2009, which has left thousands of people dead. An offensive was launched against the group - which says it is fighting for the creation of a Islamist state in Nigeria - and the military encouraged the formation of vigilante groups to help. This latest attack is not an isolated case; last week, 20 vigilantes were killed in two separate attacks.