A suspected Boko Haram attack on a military base and police station in northeastern Nigeria left at least 33 people dead, a security source told AFP on Wednesday.

A suspected Boko Haram attack on a military base and police station in northeastern Nigeria left at least 33 people dead, a security source told AFP on Wednesday.

The source, who requested anonymity, said 18 soldiers and 15 police lost their lives in the assault in the town of Buni Yadi, in Yobe state, at about 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Monday.

"The militants arrived in vans wearing military uniform and went to the army barracks overlooking the police station," the source added.

"They were mistaken for soldiers and the soldiers opened the gates. They then began the attack."