Boko Haram burns 16 Nigerian communities

At least 16 Nigerian towns and villages have been razed in the latest Boko Haram attacks, officials say.

At least 16 Nigerian towns and villages have been razed in the latest Boko Haram attacks. (AAP)

Boko Haram has launched renewed attacks in restive northeast Nigeria this week, razing at least 16 towns and villages, a local government and a union official told AFP.

"They burnt to the ground all the 16 towns and villages including Baga, Dorn-Baga, Mile 4, Mile 3, Kauyen Kuros and Bunduram," said Musa Bukar, head of the Kukawa local government in Borno state.

Abubakar Gamandi, head of Borno's fish traders union and a Baga native, confirmed the attacks, which happened Wednesday, adding that hundreds of people who fled were trapped on islands on Lake Chad.