Over 40 suspected members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect were reportedly killed in air and land raids launched by the military in Borno state.

The raids on hideouts of the sect in Bita village, along Damboa- Gwoza road, took place Sunday and early Monday.

Bita is located about 32 kilometres west of Gwoza and about 135 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

A similar attack about a fortnight ago in the village left over 20 suspected terrorists dead while others escaped the area injured.

A reliable security source said that the offensive was aimed at flushing out the insurgents suspected to have fled the recent attacks on the troops by the military.

It was however difficult to get official confirmation as the lack of network in Borno State made it impossible to get across to security outfits as at press time.