The army said it used troops and planes to repel Friday's
assault in the town of Bama, the second Islamist attack on a
military base this month.
Boko Haram, which wants to set up an Islamic state, is seen as
the main security threat to Africa's biggest oil producer.
"They were heavily armed ... We still don't have any clear
details on the casualties," said Brigadier General Chris
Olukolade by telephone.
"High-caliber weapons such as anti-aircraft and rocket-propelled
guns were freely used in the attack that lasted several hours,"
he said earlier.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a coordinated strike on
December 2 on the air force base and military barracks in the
main northeastern city of Maiduguri.
It was first major assault this year on the heavily guarded
city, which was also the birthplace of the radical Islamist
movement ten years ago.
President Goodluck Jonathan launched an offensive against Boko
Haram in May, centered on three states worst hit by the
insurgency.
There was a pause in the violence before attacks resumed.
(Reporting by Ibrahim Mshelizza;
additional reporting by Felix Onuah in Abuja)
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