Barely a day after Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau led a delegation to Yobe to assess the extent of destruction by Boko Haram militants, the insurgents have attacked the 120 Taskforce Battalion of the Nigeria Army in the state.

It was gathered that the militants attacked the army base stationed in Goniri town in Gujba Local Government Area at about 4:00 a.m. but were repelled by soldiers who engaged them in a gun battle.

Scores of the militants were said to have been killed in the gun battle which lasted several hours, with many of the residents reportedly fleeing the violence.

One of the fleeing residents told our correspondent in the state that they heard heavy gunshots and explosions and had to run for safety, adding that the battle continued into the early hours of today.

Goniri is one of the communities recently recaptured by security forces who are currently working to clear the town and other surrounding community preparatory to the return of the residents who are spread in IDP camps in Yobe and Borno states.

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Boko Haram insurgents.