Security forces, Boko Haram fighting in Nigerian town

Militants of the Boko Haram outfit and Nigerian security forces are battling each other in Bajoga Town, near the capital of Gombe state in Nigeria's northeast, witnesses told Xinhua, citing heavy gunfire in the area.

Armed with rocket-propelled grenades and other high-power weapons, the insurgents, who stormed the town in at least 30 Hilux vans, targeted public buildings in the area early Thursday, said a witness named Isiaku Wanzam.

The gunmen were on the rampage for almost two hours before the arrival of security personnel, forcing residents to stay indoors amid explosions and sound of gunfire.

"The attackers came into our town through Yobe state (a neighboring northeastern province) and started shooting sporadically," another witness, Yisa Abdul, said, noting gunfire was still being heard in the area.

At the time of filing this report, schools, banks and government offices had closed due to the gun battle, Abdul added.

The attackers also targeted police stations in Bajoga town, which is headquarters of Funakaye local area, about 70 km from Gombe, the state capital, a security source said.

No official statement has been issued so far, but security sources and witnesses feared there might be high number of casualties.

Boko Haram, which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria since 2009, seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution of Africa's most populous country.