Abuja, Dec 2 (IANS): Authorities Tuesday imposed a 24-hour curfew on the city of Damaturu, capital of Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe, following a deadly attack by Boko Haram Monday.

The curfew was imposed by the government to allow the military conclude measures to track down some of the insurgents who fled in the wake of confrontation by security personnel, Xinhua reported citing a statement issued by the office of the governor of the state.

"Government advises all Damaturu residents to remain in their homes during the hours of the curfew," the statement said, noting that the decision was taken in consultation with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state as part of measures to assist the security agencies in flushing out the attackers.

Insurgents stormed the town at about 5.30 a.m. Monday and heavy shooting was heard in the place, prompting the military to send a fighter jet to the area.

A military source said the insurgents invaded the city from the western axis along the local border communities with Borno, the Boko Haram's birthplace.

Mathew Adewale, a resident, said the insurgents came in a convoy of Hilux vehicles as residents woke up to heavy shooting and sounds of explosion.

The suspected Boko Haram fighters also attacked the Yobe State University at the outskirts, along Gujba road, near the College of Agriculture where over 40 students were massacred by the insurgents last year, said Joe Agwu, a resident who lives near the university.

"The Police Mobile Force base, about 300 metres from the university campus was set ablaze. Many policemen and their families were killed," he added.

The Boko Haram, which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria since 2009, seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution of Africa's most populous country.