2 civilians killed in sect, security forces crossfire in Nigeria’s restive northeast

Maiduguri, Nigeria - An official says a clash between security forces and suspected members of a radical Muslim sect has left two dead in Nigeria’s volatile northeast.

Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed says two residents were caught in the crossfire in the city of Maiduguri Thursday morning. He said two bystanders were also injured.

Mohammed said the clash came after six assailants from the Boko Haram sect detonated a bomb that blew up the median of a major Maiduguri road.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in the local Hausa language, is responsible for a rash of killings targeting security officers, local leaders and clerics in the area over the last year. They have also claimed responsibility for a bombing at the nation’s police headquarters that killed two in June.