Islamic Nigerian Militants Kill 1,500 this Year

The Islamic uprising in Nigeria is behind at least 1,500 deaths this year alone.

Amnesty International reports the attacks on civilians are happening on an increasing scale.

"The international community cannot continue to look the other way in the face of extra-judicial executions, attacks on civilians, and other crimes under international law being committed on a mass scale," Netsanet Belay, the group's advocacy director for Africa, said.

The Associated Press notes the number of killings since the beginning of this year is equal to the total killed from 2010 through mid 2013.

The latest attack from extremists came Sunday night. Militants burnt down military quarters and destroyed a cell phone tower in Yobe state.

They reportedly killed three police officers and two soldiers. Residents fled Monday morning.