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Nigerian security forces repelled an attack by Islamist rebels on the northeastern town of Biu Wednesday, killing several of the rebels, witnesses and the military said, The Daily Star reported, citing news agencies.

Several dozen fighters belonging to the Boko Haram militant group drove into Biu in pick-up trucks and on motorcycles, witness Yahaya Mshelliza told Reuters by telephone.

“They came shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and shooting everywhere, but confronted by the soldiers for three hours, most them were killed,” Mshelliza said.

“At the moment only three escaped into the bush and are being pursued by the soldiers.”

Growing insecurity linked to Islamist militants is a major issue for President Goodluck Jonathan a month before polls in which he faces a rival, Mohammadu Buhari, who was seen as tough on security when he was a military ruler in the 1980s.

Nigeria’s military headquarters, which rarely comments on attacks, confirmed the incident on its Twitter account.

It was the second attack on a major town by Boko Haram militants in the past two weeks.

“Terrorist attack repelled by the military in Biu,” the military tweeted. “Troops in pursuit of fleeing terrorists.” It added that five Boko Haram fighers had been captured as well as two anti-aircraft guns.

Witness Mohammadu Idi said he saw at least 17 bodies of Boko Haram fighters “littered on the road.” Meanwhile, Amnesty International said satellite images show widespread destruction in two Nigerian towns that were recently attacked by Boko Haram.