Blasts, gunfire rock Nigeria city Damaturu

Residents in Damaturu say explosions and gunfire can be heard in the north Nigerian city.

Explosions and gunfire have rocked the north Nigerian city of Damaturu, in a suspected Boko Haram attack that targeted police, residents say.

The sound of blasts and heavy weapons being fired woke locals in the Gujba Road area of the Yobe state capital at 4.45am, said resident Umar Sada.

"We have left our homes. We are now in the bush. We don't know what's going to happen," said Sada, who added that a police barracks had been destroyed.

Another local resident, a government official who asked not to be identified, said: "It's chaos all over the town.

"All I can hear is explosions and gunfire from my house. I couldn't go out for morning prayers because this started before dawn and I'm afraid to leave in case I get caught up in it."

Boko Haram militants, who have been waging a five-year rebellion to create a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, claimed responsibility for an October 24 attack on Damaturu in which four police buildings were attacked with guns and explosives and there was an hours-long gun battle with the security forces.