Boko Haram militant fighters killed at least 34 and injured several others in a series of attacks on villages near Chibok and Konduga in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state earlier this week, according to residents and local officials. 

On Wednesay night the Tamsu-Shehuri village was attacked by gunmen. Twelve people were killed.

"Many of them came riding on (motor)bikes and Hilux vans, and all of them were armed with rifles," said Aisami Bashir, a member of a local civilian protection militia. "They opened fire on the village as residents began to flee. Many aged persons who could not run were caught and killed. They broke into homes and looted their belongings -- especially their food items."

Not even 24 hours after the first attack, gunmen hit a nearby village, Ladi-Shehuri. They killed and burned a man in his car. Soldiers from Konduga were able to respond to the attack and killed nearly a dozen of the militants.

Boko Haram fighters continued their assaults on Thursday in Chibok. Last April the terrorist organization kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls. The girls are still missing. The militants attacked nearby towns Gatamarwa, Lehu and Makalawa near Chibok on Thursday as well.

Boko Haram's attacks also spread across Nigeria's borders into Niger on Saturday. The militants reportedly attacked an island on Niger's side of Lake Chad. The army was able to repel the terrorists after heavy fighting. The attack occurred in Niger within 30 miles of the borders with Chad and Nigeria.

Fighters aboard motorized canoes attacked a fishing village in Chad last week, killing at least five people. The assault was the first known lethal attack in that country.

The terrorist organization has gained strength in the past year. It has been responsible for the death of thousands over a six-year span. So far, they have been able to claim a territory the size of Belgium in the northeast part of Nigeria.

Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin and Niger are most at risk for Boko Haram insurgency. The countries have been working hard to push back against the militant attacks. Military chiefs from the five countries will meet in Chad's capital N'Djamena next week to finalize plans for an 8,700 strong task force to fight the terrorists.