The Nigerian Army and Police on Thursday repelled an attack by Boko-Haram insurgents who attempted to invade Jakana town in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, an official said.

Dozens of the insurgents armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the town Thursday evening.

Brig-Gen Bulama Biu, GOC 7 Div, Maiduguri, who confirmed the incident to NAN, said the attack was promptly repelled.

“Yes, there was an attack and we are on top of the situation. I will get back to you for details,” he told NAN in a telephone interview on Thursday.

A policeman stationed in Jakana, who did not want his name mentioned, said the troops fought gallantly to repel the attackers.

Adamu Kemdi, a resident of Jakana who fled the town, told NAN that the insurgents came with sophisticated weapons mounted on more than 15 vehicles.

Mr Kemdi said he was suspecting the they stormed the town in search of food items, as Thursday is the market day in Jakana.

PREMIUM TIMES Thursday night reported the attack on Jakana, a town located about 50km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Jakana, an agrarian community, is situated along the Maiduguri-Kano highway. It has never fallen to the Boko Haram despite repeated attacks by the terror group.

The Maiduguri-Kano highway is considered one of the safest routes in Borno in the past four years.

A police source in Jakana informed PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers were armed with heavy arms and ammunition and sustained their shooting for over an hour.

He added that the gunmen first attacked the military camp on the western flank of the town before advancing towards the town.