Suspected fighters of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have launched coordinated attacks on five communities in Borno and Yobe states, looting arms, food items and burning vehicles.

Naijaonpoint learnt that the affected communities are Mafa, Dikwa, Marte and Ajiri in Borno State, and Katarko in Yobe State.

Security sources who spoke with Daily Trust said the insurgents struck on Wednesday night, overrunning a military checkpoint in Mafa before storming the local barracks.

A source said, “They looted arms and ammunition and the newly procured operation motorcycles that we use to carry out operations in remote bushes. The number of attackers was so massive that no one could imagine.”

Another top security officer confirmed that although the terrorists came in large numbers, “many of them were neutralised during the exchange.”

A resident explained that while no civilian casualties had been reported, the assailants looted foodstuffs and destroyed transport vehicles meant for onward delivery to Gambarou and other areas.

“It was a coordinated attack after 11pm. They shot sporadically at the checkpoint where commuters were waiting for the military gate to open. I’m not aware of any life lost, but goods were looted,” the source said.

Eyewitnesses said the terrorists arrived in four gun trucks and over 100 motorcycles, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons.

Similar raids were also recorded in Marte, Dikwa, Ajiri in Borno State, and Katarko in Yobe State.