Abuja, Jul 29 (IANS): At least 25 people were killed in separate weekend attacks by gunmen in Nigeria's Borno State, military authorities confirmed Sunday.

The gunmen, believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect, opened fire on civilians and local security workers in Dawashi district of Kukawa local government area of Borno State, which borders central African country of Chad, reported Xinhua citing Lt. Haruna Mohammed Sani, spokesperson of the military-led Multi-national Joint Task Force.

The incident occurred when a group of local security workers from Maiduguri stormed the Dawashi Village in search of Boko Haram members "the suspected sect members came out fully armed and fired sporadic shots that killed over 20 innocent civilians", he said.

A dozen others suffered serious gunshot injuries, he added.

Most of the victims were fishermen and traders.

Five more people were killed in another attack at Mainok city, about 60 km from Maiduguri, the state capital known as stronghold of Boko Haram members, said Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, spokesperson of the Joint Task Force said.

Borno State, located in Nigeria's northeast region, is a flashpoint of attacks perpetrated by Islamist group of Boko Haram since 2009, when the sect launched its insurgency targeting churches, security facilities, schools and villages.