Channels Television reports that the insurgents came in large numbers and outnumbered the security operatives on the ground.

Boko Haram fighters arrived in seven trucks late on Wednesday and attacked Bulaburin and Kofa villages, as well as a camp in Dalori village outside Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

At least 12 civilians were killed in multiple Boko Haram jihadist attacks targeting two villages and a camp for those displaced by the bloody conflict in northeastern Nigeria, civilian militia and residents told AFP Thursday.

In one of the villages which came under attack on Wednesday evening, Kofa, the insurgents set ablaze the Imam of the village along with four members of his family.

Dazed! Shocked! Hopeless! Were the terms used by TVC journalists to describe the survivors of a massive Boko haram attack on villages along Bama road in Borno as well as an IDP camp in Maiduguri with many feared dead.

The army authorities said full details of the attack will be released later, but no update has been given as at the time of this report, more than 10 hours after the initial statement was issued.

In contrast to the Army's statement, the North East Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Bashir Garga, disclosed that a total of eight people were killed in Kofa and the Dalori IDP camp.

One of the villages attacked by Boko Haram insurgents. "Many people were displaced in the attack", Modu said.

He said the inmates were forced to flee and two got killed several others injured in the process. The Army also claimed that one civilian was "found dead".

According to him, an assessment team was deployed to provide relief assistance to the affected persons.

"The insurgents, walking freely unchallenged by the troops, many now roaming on Bama / Maiduguri highway, it is dark they don't have where to sleep, as many are now looking for their family members".

"Villagers who ran into the bush for safety have returned to their homes while the Borno State Fire Service has contained the inferno".