17 killed in Nigerian clashes

At least 17 people were killed in a clash between suspected members of the Boko Haram sect and civilian vigilantes early Sunday in Nigeria's restive Borno state, Xinhua reported.

Twelve vigilantes lost their lives in the attack while the civilian security guards killed five of the attackers, said residents in the Benisheik town in the Borno state.

Garba Ngamdu, an aide of Governor Kashim Shettima of the Borno state, also confirmed the incident to reporters at the hospital.

"Some troops have been drafted to the area and the attack has been brought under control," a military spokesperson said.

The latest attack occurred barely five days after military resisted two attacks in the Gajiram and Bulablin villages of the restive state, in which 15 civilians were killed.

Boko Haram wants to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state in the north.