5 killed in drive-by shooting in northeast Nigeria (AP)

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria ? Authorities in northeast Nigeria are blaming a radical Muslim sect for a drive-by shooting that left five civilians dead.

Lt. Col. Hassan Mohammed said Saturday that the gunmen had attacked people gathered outside a shop in the city of Maiduguri on Thursday night. The assailants were carrying Kalashnikov rifles under their flowing robes.

The sect known as Boko Haram has been blamed for a string of assassinations and bombings in its campaign to implement strict Shariah law in Africa's most populous nation.

While the militants initially targeted mainly police officers, recent attacks have killed a growing number of civilians.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility, but Boko Haram is known to launch drive-by shootings in its attacks.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111217/ap_on_re_af/af_nigeria_violence

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