ABUJA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Terror group Boko Haram has launched fresh attacks on two villages in Nigeria's troubled northeast region, according to multiple sources on Tuesday.
The terrorists on Monday evening torched shelters and camps of those displaced by earlier Boko Haram attacks in Rann, a town over 170 km to Maiduguri, capital of the northern state of Borno, two military sources who preferred to be anonymous told Xinhua by telephone.
They also attacked Damasak village, located in a remote part of Borno, late Monday, a non-military source said.
In Rann, the terrorists burned down a hospital, a school, and government buildings. They also attempted to take over a military base in the area, Xinhua's sources said.
A heavy gunfight ensued between troops and the terrorists but they were overpowered by the superior firepower of the military, one military source said.
Many internally displaced persons taking refuge in a camp in Rann had fled the area due to the gunfight between troops and the terrorists.
No official statement has so far been released by the military or Nigerian authorities on the latest attacks.
Boko Haram has been trying since 2009 to establish an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria.
The group has so far killed about 20,000 people, forcing the displacement of millions of others in the most populous African country.
