Nigerian security forces say they killed 20 Islamist militants while repelling an attack on a military base in the country's northeast.
Army spokesman Sagir Musa says Sunday's attack occurred in the village of Monguno, some 200 kilometers from the city of Maiduguri.
He says those killed were Boko Haram militants who attempted to raid the military barracks there sparking a firefight which resulted in the 20 deaths.
The spokesman did not mention any civilian or military casualties.
Boko Haram began violent operations in 2009, and it has killed an estimated 3,000 people in attacks on churches, schools, government and newspaper offices, security forces, markets and the local United Nations headquarters.
Some Boko Haram members say they to want to enforce a harsh form of Islamic law while others claim to be at war with Nigerian security forces.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.