At least 21 people were killed in a new attack by suspected Islamists in a village in northeastern Borno state, residents said Saturday.

"The terrorists stormed Maikadiri around 9:00 am (0800 GMT Friday) and opened fire on helpless citizens," said resident Simon Templer.

"We counted 21 corpses," said another resident, Markus Ali. A police offier in the Borno state capital Maiduguri confirmed the attack.