Militants from the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly struck a Nigerian army base and set fires in the surrounding town. Footage shared on social media shows thick black smoke rising in the Askira area of Borno State after the jihadis launched their assault. Northern Nigeria has faced a series of raids and attacks from Islamist terror groups aligned with ISIS in recent years.

       The town of Askira is home to around 140,000 people with reports of residents trapped in the homes by the fighting.

       It is unclear how many ISWAP militants attacked the Nigerian army base with fighting still ongoing.

       Terrorist fighters have reportedly destroyed a number of mobile phone masts in the area.

       According to local reports, a large convoy of ISWAP fighters was spotted moving towards Askira in the early hours of Saturday morning.

       Nigerian news outlet ShaunTV reports that a fierce gun battle is ongoing between army troops and the jihadis.

       Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, Deputy Speaker of the Borno House Assembly told ShaunTV: “Yes, the ISWAP is now assaulting the town of Askira.

       "I’ve received reliable information that our men are engaged in combat with them, but that the locals have fled into the jungle.

       “My guys informed me that the rebels arrived with around 16 gun trucks and that there is now chaos across the whole town."

       Malum Pagu a resident of Askira told Nigeria's Daily Post that: "A lot of people have fled even to Michika town because it was so serious.

       Another resident told the news site they were hiding in the bush because the ISWAP fighters were killing people.

       “Hundreds of us are in the mountains as we speak.

       "Because even the soldiers have fled, he said.

       DON'T MISS:

       BBC's Nick Robinson points out how Boris has outmanoeuvred EU [VIDEO]

       Nicola Sturgeon squirms as SNP planning for COP26 under fire [INTERVIEW]

       Snow to hit UK within days as freezing weather takes its toll [FORECAST]

       Yakubu Luka, a member of a local civilian militia said the attackers headed straight for the military base when they entered the town.

       “We are expecting a reinforcement from the nearby community, as I am speaking with you heavy gunfire is ongoing.”

       “We are appealing to the authorities to send fighter jets to support the ground soldiers.

       "We are outnumbered; we only have five gun trucks with us," Commander Yakubu said.