Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents disguised as traders have opened fire on unsuspecting traders at Damasak town in Borno State, a report from the area said.

A top security source quoted by Daily Trust said that fighting is ongoing between Nigerian troops that rushed to the market arena following a distressed appeal by fleeing traders.

Details of the number of casualty is not yet clear, but sources said the insurgents went to the centre of the market before they brandished their assault rifles, according to Daily Trust.

“The attack on the market started around 11am when many traders and buyers gathered at the market,” another source was quoted as saying.

Damasak, a farming and fishing community is the headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area. It is located along the confluence between River Yobe and Kumadugu-Gana River, not far from the border between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the northern fringes of Borno State.

Last week, the Boko Haram assailants killed nearly 100 people in separate attacks in Mafa and Kukawa local government areas.

•Photo shows Boko Haram insurgents.