A deadly gun battle has erupted between Nigerian troops and terrorists suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents at a military base in Yobe State. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday at the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari, with residents reporting heavy gunfire and explosions.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the battle, saying, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari, Yobe State. Details later.” A military source disclosed that four soldiers were killed in the attack, saying, “Yes, we lost four of our men, just as they also recorded casualties during the fierce battle that lasted for hours.”

The attack comes amid a surge in insurgent activity in the region, with repeated attacks on military posts and kidnappings of travelers. The latest incident has increased fear among locals, who are already reeling from years of insecurity. The attack also comes just two days after governors from the North-East met to discuss new strategies to combat the ongoing insecurity in the region.

Residents described the attack as intense, saying it was unusual to hear such heavy gunfire and explosions in the area. “It was in the early hours of today, around 1.00am we heard a heavy gun battle at the 27 Task Force Brigade which is unusual to the test firing by the military. We later confirmed it was suspected insurgents,” one resident told reporters. The military is currently engaged in a fierce battle to repel the attack and restore calm to the area.