A yet unknown number of Boko Haram fighters were reported killed on Sunday after Nigerian troops returned fire in response to an attack on its location by armed terrorists in the Kangarwa area of Borno State.

People familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES the terrorists attacked troops of the 119 Task Force Battalion at about 4 P.M. on Sunday, shooting sporadically.

Nigerian soldiers responded promptly, killing an unknown number of Boko Haram fighters, and wounding several others.

One of our sources said at least 13 bodies of terrorists were counted after calm was restored. He said several other members of the sect escaped with “serious gunshot wounds”.

“We are sure most of those who fled with wounds will die eventually,” the source said.

One soldier however died during the battle while three others were wounded.

Military insiders said the attack was so intense that the army had to call for air support.

“The Nigerian Air Force responded promptly by dispatching two aircraft in support of ground forces,” one source said.

As the air force rained bullets from the air, the insurgents fled in different directions abandoning some weapons, insiders said.

Two Hilux vans belonging to the sect were destroyed while several weapons, including artillery guns, Ak-47 rifles machine guns and pump action guns were recovered.

The attack came five days after troops of 25 Task Force Brigade advancing to clear Boko Haram terrorists around the Sambisa Forest ran into two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at Matube.

An official said one IED was successfully detonated while the other exploded and killed a soldier.

The remains of the soldier was evacuated to the headquarters of the brigade in Damboa, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

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