A gang of Boko Haram has killed four soldiers and a civilian in a fresh attack in Mussa community of Askira/Uba Local Government Area in Borno state.

The farming community has been severally attacked by terrorists, and is located on the southern fringe of Sambisa Forest.

The Guardian also gathered that the incident occurred around 12:00 p.m on Wednesday.

Confirming the attack on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Chairman of the Askira/Uba Local Council, Alhaji Mada Saidu, said the civilian killed in yesterday’s attack was a mother of three children

He further narrated: “There was an attack in the Mussa ward yesterday afternoon. They killed one civilian, a woman, and four soldiers recently deployed to the council area.”

A credible military source, who spoke on Thursday in Maiduguri with The Guardian on the condition of anonymity said: “The four affected soldiers were personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion deployed to the Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno state.

“Four of our troops attached to the 115 Task Force Battalion were killed, while ensuring that the terrorists did not gain entries into the Mussa community.”

One of the sources said: “The insurgents were not many, but it was a coordinated attack aimed at infiltrating the town. The troops stood their ground, but unfortunately, the four were killed.”

Residents of the community also said that they heard shots of gunfire that lasted for about 30 minutes, villagers fleeing for safety to the nearby farmlands.

The fleeing residents stated: “We were hearing serious gunshots, and many people began to flee their homes at exactly 12:00 p.m yesterday.

“If not for the military’s defence, they had intended to enter our community that afternoon to cause massive destruction of lives and property.”

The attack marks the latest in a series of assaults on civilian and Army bases across the state.