60 females, 31 boys abducted in Nigeria

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Witnesses say Islamic extremists have abducted 60 more girls and women and 31 boys from villages in northeast Nigeria.

Security forces denied the kidnappings. Nigeria's government and military have been widely criticized for their slow response to the abductions of more than 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped April 15.

There was no way to safely and independently confirm the report from Kummabza, 150 kilometers (95 miles) from Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and headquarters of a military state of emergency that has failed to curtail near-daily attacks by Boko Haram fighters.

Aji Khalil, of a local anti-Boko Haram group, said Tuesday the abductions took place Saturday in an attack in which four villagers were killed.

Boko Haram has been demanding the release of detained members in exchange for its hostages.