Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a military post in Mairari community, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, with some soldiers feared killed following a prolonged gun battle.

The attack reportedly occurred around midnight on Tuesday and lasted for more than two hours, according to local sources cited by newsmen on Thursday.

Umar Sheriff, chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, confirmed the incident to the newspaper on Wednesday, saying the military position was the primary target and that no civilian deaths had been reported.

“The incident occurred last night around 12 am. Though I don’t have statistics regarding the casualties yet, because it’s not everything we are told. It’s a security matter. But I know that no civilian was killed,” Sheriff said.

He described the assault as unusually intense for the area but said military personnel had repelled the attackers.

“They have never attacked as much as this time, but thank God, the military were able to repel them,” he added.

The council chairman said the situation had returned to calm and that he planned to visit the community on Thursday to assess the aftermath.

Local sources told reporter that casualties were feared on both sides of the confrontation. One source said there were rumours that seven soldiers had been killed but stressed that the figure could not be independently verified.

Another source said the exchange of gunfire had caused tension across the community and suggested that the attackers may also have suffered casualties.

However, as of the time of reporting, no verified casualty figures had been released by the military.

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, for comment were unsuccessful.

The attack adds to continuing security concerns in Borno State, where insurgent groups have repeatedly targeted military positions and communities.

Authorities have yet to issue a detailed official statement confirming the extent of the damage or casualties from the Mairari attack.