Jihadists linked to the Islamic State group opened fire on mourners in a village in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state, killing at least 15 people, a community leader and residents told AFP Tuesday.

The incident, which happened on Monday, is the latest in a spate of violence in the region blamed on jihadist groups, which have escalated attacks in recent weeks.

More than 50 people were killed last week.

Fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stormed Kwaple village, near the town of Chibok, around 1700 GMT on several motorcycles, opening fire on residents who had gathered to mourn the death of a community leader in the village, the sources said.

“As at this morning, 15 bodies have been recovered in the village and surrounding bushes,” said Ayuba Alamson, a community leader in Chibok, about five kilometres (about five miles) away.

“The ISWAP insurgents opened fire on the mourners and pursued them on motorcycles into the bush as they tried to flee,” Alamson said.