According to SaharaReporters, security sources have said no less than five Nigerian soldiers were killed on Tuesday following a gun battle in Gajibo area of Borno State with Boko Haram insurgents.

The insurgents believed to be from the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked the military base in the town in about 15 gun trucks.

“Boko Haram during the week sacked the military base here in Gajibo, about five soldiers were killed and many injured. We saw the military evacuating their people both killed and wounded,” a resident told SaharaReporters.

The sources said several weapons and ammunition were stolen by the terrorists during the attack that lasted for three hours.

Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency has been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

In the past months, soldiers have been targeted by the insurgents, who lay ambush on their path.