Nigerian troops have repelled an attack by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military position in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing more than 25 terrorists.
The attack was launched against troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions, according to the military.
The soldiers, supported by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle and successfully repelled the assault.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said 14 bodies of the terrorists had so far been recovered from the battlefield.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Goni said preliminary assessment indicated that more than 25 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.
“Preliminary assessment indicates that over 25 terrorists were neutralised, with 14 bodies recovered so far,” he said.
Troops also recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the scene, including six AK-47 rifles.
The military, however, said some soldiers were killed during the confrontation, and extended condolences to their families.
Goni said troops were continuing with operations in the area to recover additional weapons, locate terrorists who fled the scene and prevent them from regrouping.
“Further exploitation is ongoing to recover additional weapons, track the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping,” he said.
The latest operation is part of ongoing military efforts to disrupt the activities of terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-East.
The military said troops would continue patrols, intelligence-led operations and coordinated offensives with other security agencies to weaken terrorist networks and protect communities in the region.
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