Two attacks in two Nigerian cities on Monday have left around 77 dead and many wounded. The attacks are the latest by Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria's troubled northern provinces.

Nigeria's government has struggled to battle the group but in one of the attacks managed to retain control of the city.

The two attacks, one on the capital of Borno state and the other on Yobe state's capital, varied in intensity and execution, according to the Associated Press.

The attack on Maiduguri, Borno state's capital, comprised two women suicide bombers who entered a busy market and detonated themselves, killing at least 16 people. Hospital workers speaking on condition of anonymity provided these numbers.

The second attack on Yobe's capital city, Damaturu, occurred Monday at dawn. Boko Haram stormed the city, bombing a rapid response police station as well as other government buildings. Firefights broke out throughout the city as security forces battled Boko Haram, fighting the terrorists for several hours.

Terrorist fighters attempted to take over the governor's compound with its military armory, but failed. They did succeed in bombing university and hospital buildings, killing two doctors and abducting three others.

Overall, 33 police officers and six soldiers died as well as 20 Boko Haram fighters, a morgue worker said on condition of anonymity.

Boko Haram stormed Damaturu on motorcycles and pick up trucks, reports Reuters. Witnesses reported people ditching their cars on the middle of the street to seek cover as Nigerian air force planes began attacking the terrorists from the air. Some Boko Haram fighters managed to hijack military vehicles.

"They mounted anti-aircraft guns and they are trying to shoot the aircraft that was bombarding the town. They were all turning their heads shooting," university student Mustapha Usman said.

Following the attack, the Yobe state governor's office enacted an indefinite 24-hour curfew on Damaturu, according to the BBC. The curfew will allow security forces to regain full control of the city and drive out any remaining fighters.