Lagos, Dec 2 (IANS): Suspected Boko Haram rebels launched a massive attack on the Nigerian Air Force base in Borno state Monday, killing many people, while forcing the government to clamp a 24-hour curfew, police source said.

The attack occurred early in the day when insurgents invaded the restive city of Maiduguri and launched coordinated strikes on the 79 Composite Group of the Nigerian Air Force, 33 Artillery Battalion and a trailer park along Maiduguri-Kano road, Xinhua reported citing the source.

He said scores of people, including military personnel, may have died in the attack, described as bloody by an army source.

Colonel Muhammad Dole, a military spokesperson, confirmed the attack but claimed it was repelled.

"In the early hours of Monday, Boko Haram terrorists attempted to gain access to own locations (Own locations according to Dole mean military formations) in the metropolis. However, troops of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army have successfully repelled the insurgents and inflicted serious casualties on them."

"The situation around Njamtilo and Maiduguri International Airport general areas are calm and under control," he added.