Four policemen and seven villagers were killed on Tuesday when suspected members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked Bayamari in Yobe state.
The insurgents were said to be fleeing from the Sambisa forest following recent onslaughts by the armed forces in the area.
Dungus Abdulkarim, police spokesperson in Yobe, who confirmed the attack said he is not authorised yet to provide details.
The policemen, sources, said were protecting the villagers when the insurgents struck.
“The policemen were on alert and tried to engage, but were overpowered by the insurgents who were tens in number,” a source said.
“Villagers started running as the insurgents shot sporadically, and not less than seven people were hit.”
Another source said some of the fleeing insurgents are now setting up makeshift camps in the area, from where they allegedly launch attacks on the villagers.
Although, in the past weeks, the military has recorded successes in the fight against the insurgents, communities in the north-east continue to come under attack.
Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, did not immediately respond to a message seeking development on the attack.
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