Gunmen Attack Barracks in Borno State

Gunmen suspected to be from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist sect armed with anti-aircraft guns and grenade launchers attacked a barracks in Bama, a local government area in volatile Borno State.

According to Reuters the gunmen battled soldiers for several hours, the military said. Adding that the military used troops and planes to repel the assault in the town.

This is the second attack on a military base, this month in Bama. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a coordinated strike on December 2 on the air force base and military barracks, though no claim has been made for the recent attack

Boko Haram, which wants to set up an Islamic state, is seen as the main security threat to Africa's biggest oil producer.

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"They were heavily armed ... We still don't have any clear details on the casualties," said Brigadier General Chris Olukolade by telephone.

"High-caliber weapons such as anti-aircraft and rocket-propelled guns were freely used in the attack that lasted several hours," he said earlier.

Reuters