Abuja, Dec 31 (IANS): At least 15 people were killed in an overnight attack in Kautikari, a local community in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state, a security source and residents told Xinhua Wednesday.

The attack, suspected to be perpetrated by the Boko Haram, lasted till early Tuesday in Kautikari, 10 km from Chibok town in the southern part of the state, where more than 200 school girls were abducted from their dormitories in April, said the security source on condition of anonymity.

"The gunmen shot at residents in their houses and those fleeing," said Mustapha Usman, a survivor.

He said the attackers invaded the town in a Hilux van and motorcycles.

"They shot indiscriminately and injured many others," he added.

A leader of the community said no help was in sight for the residents, despite distress calls made to security agencies. The community leader, who did not want his name to be mentioned, said respite only came the way of residents on the following morning when a detachment of military officers arrived the area.

Many houses, shops and other public buildings were razed during the attack, he added.

The Boko Haram, which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution.