Fighting is ongoing between troops of the Nigerian army and suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Bama town, central part of Borno State.

Fleeing residents said 'hundreds' of insurgents, armed with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), explosives and guns stormed Bama at dawn and are still fighting with Nigerian troops.

"As I am talking to you (9.30am), the war is ongoing and it will be difficult to describe the level of destruction," Tijjani Bukar, a driver that escaped to Maiduguri, said.

Bama was attacked in May 2013 and February, 2014.

The Army barracks and the emir's palace were all attacked by the insurgents in the previous attacks.

Bama is nearly 60 kilometers away from Maiduguri.

Of recent, the insurgents are intensifying 'territorial conquest'.

Eight days ago, leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau declared Gwoza 'Islamic Caliphate'

A day after, his men took over Gamboru town in northern Borno and three days ago, they captured Dikwa, 60 kilometers north of Bama.