At least five soldiers have been killed and 30 missing in an evening attack on a military base in Kanamma town, headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Boko Haram is suspected to have carried out the attack.

A top security source, who doesn’t want to be named revealed to our correspondent that five dead bodies of soldiers have been recovered at attack scene.

“We lost five men in the attack; their bodies have been recovered hours after the terrorists were overpowered. But, about 30 soldiers are missing in action (MIA),” he said.

He said the insurgents nearly overran the base, but later overpowered by reinforcement that left large number of the insurgents killed with some fleeing the scene with bullet wounds.

A member of vigilante group, also told our correspondent that he saw five lifeless bodies of the soldiers taken in an ambulance by the military.

“I learnt that the corpses were taken to Damaturu or Maiduguri. Also, the insurgents took away 2 military vehicles. They were subdued by the help of fighter jet that killed many of them,” he said.

The Army spokesperson, 3 Division Nigeria Army, Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, confirmed the incident but denied any casualty in the attack.

“There was an attack on our troops two days ago by the Boko Haram terrorists. The attack was repelled and our soldiers are in hot pursuit of the insurgents. No casualty was recorded on own side but insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

Boko Haram militants attacked the military base in Kanamma town on Sunday around 5:45 pm, an attack that lasted for over three hours. (Daily trust)