By Olarewaju Kola

MAUDUGURI, Nigeria 

At least four people have been killed in a Tuesday attack by Boko Haram insurgents in a community near Nigeria's Chibok town where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted two years ago, local security personnel have said.

A group of Boko Haram encircled Kautuva village, south of Maiduguri, Borno's provincial capital and center of the nearly six-year insurgency, Samaila Musa, a security volunteer in Chibok told Anadolu Agency.

"Boko Haram surrounded Kautava shortly after the Muslim early morning prayers. They set fire to people's houses and started shooting the villagers as they were fleeing. Four residents were shot dead by Boko Haram and thereafter [they kidnapped] three women," he said by phone.

He said survivors who fled to neighboring towns raised the alarm.

There was no immediate reaction from the military. Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, did not respond to requests by Anadolu Agency for confirmation.

Nigeria’s military has claimed a recent clampdown on the insurgents' main stronghold has weakened the activities of Boko Haram but this latest alleged attack appears to cast doubts on the claims.