Nigeria, Oct. 15 -- About 20 security officers and an unspecified number of terrorists were killed during a Tuesday midnight terror attack on a military base in Borno State.

Security sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the attack, by jihadists either belonging to Boko Haram or the rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), targeted the military base in Mairari, Guzamala Local Government Area (LGA).

Corroborating one another, the sources said 15 soldiers and five members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed in the encounter.

The LG chairperson, Umar Sheriff, confirmed the attack to Punch, saying military operatives repelled it. Locals also told the newspaper that many terrorists were killed.

However, the military has ...