ABUJA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of terrorists were killed as government forces repelled overnight attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno between late Wednesday and early Thursday, according to local media reports.
Some civilians and members of the government-backed Civilian Joint Task Force were also reportedly killed during the gunfight as government forces thwarted the attack in Benisheikh Town of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno early Thursday. A similar attack was thwarted in the Pulka community of Gwoza Local Government Area late Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, some security personnel, including the brigade commander, also paid the supreme price, and several vehicles were also carted away by the terrorists," reported the Daily Trust, a national newspaper, citing several local sources.
Media reports claimed the terrorists first launched the attack in Pulka at about 10:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, where they attempted to overrun a military base, before launching a second attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade in Benisheikh around 1:00 a.m. local time Thursday.
The terrorists also allegedly looted food items from shops in the town of Pulka and destroyed other facilities, including machines and equipment of a road construction firm.
The Nigerian military has yet to confirm the attacks.
Boko Haram and ISWAP have been collaborating in an attempt to establish an Islamist state in northeastern Nigeria. They have also extended their attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin. ■