Suspected Islamists attacked a military patrol im the restive northeastern Nigerian city of Damaturu on Sunday, in the latest assault by extremists in the region, police said.

"The military patrol team came under gun attack by suspected Boko Haram gunmen and they responded with gunfire," Yobe state police commissioner Patrick Egbuniwe told AFP.

He said the incident happened in the Bindigari area of the city, but could not immediately say if anyone was hurt.

"I still don't have details of casualties," he said.

Residents said soldiers went door-to-door in search of the gunmen.

Damaturu has been hit with scores of deadly gun and bomb attacks by Boko Haram that have left dozens of people dead in recent months.

Last week, a suicide bomber killed six soldiers and a civilian in the city in an attack claimed by the Islamist group.